Nigerians on Twitter have been reacting to the arrest of the senior police officers of the Anambra State Police Command allegedly involved in extra-judicial killings, organ harvesting, kidnapping, and other unlawful activities.
A few days ago, an Instagram blog, Gistloversgram_media continuously published reports revealing several numbers of “evidence” on the alleged criminal activities of the officers, including images of their victims, some of who had been declared missing.
The officers serving at the Zone 13 Command, Ukpo-Dunukofia, and the Anambra State Command were accused of unprofessionalism, high-handedness, and extrajudicial killings.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement issued on Friday night, the accused officers include the officer-in-charge of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Anambra State Command, CSP Patrick Agbazue; the Police Public Relations Officer of the Zone 13 Headquarters, Ukpo-Dunukofia, SP Nwode Nkeiruka (Princess Nwode); and Inspector Harrison Akama attached to the RRS.
Adejobi said their reporting to the Force Headquarters is on the directives of the IGP for the commencement of investigations to ascertain the veracity of the allegations for further necessary action, while the panel has been given two weeks to come up with a report of investigations.
Since the arrest of the officers, Nigerians on the micro-blogging app have been expressing divergent views on the case.
While some argue that the case may just end up like other criminal cases involving police officers, others called on the police’s high command to ensure justice is served accordingly.
Below are some of their reactions:
“Quite surprised the IGP took this seriously and they’re now investigating. After numerous years of people complaining an investigation is finally underway. Although it’s never too late to act but…just wondering what made the police to act now?”
https://twitter.com/UmehWrites/status/1626648142195134481?s=19
“It is not JUST unprofessional conduct, IGP, your men are murderers. They are human part sellers, that is what is alleged against them… These are henious crimes not just unprofessional conduct as if they beat people up with guns!”
https://twitter.com/codshalom77/status/1626714212394315777?s=19
“If nothing could happen to former OC of Awkuzu SARS, notorious James Nwafor, why on earth should we believe anything positive will come out of this? Awkuzu SARS has been notorious since forever and they know nothing will happen. They call it abattoir for a reason.”
https://twitter.com/tweetJudon/status/1626638258938712067?t=KgmMzgvmrTCtnx1X1nsLxQ&s=19
“@Gistloversblog1 na you do this one. Thank you. You are the only blogger we have in Nigeria. God bless you”
https://twitter.com/stanjunior001/status/1626809866642722819?t=UfkxwvxdwbQ80LB8jAC8nA&s=19
“Unfortunately it took blogger and social media to bring this to limelight.
Now, we the Nigerian people call on you tll, the Nigerian Police Force, to perform your duty and ensure hustice is served speedily, leaving no stone unturned. Thank you.”
https://twitter.com/RitzyMoi/status/1626626964269170701?t=WSrIBNwSpoKmcSaNJSzx_Q&s=19
“You all know what to do. Get the bank statements of those officers from 2020 or 2021. Visit the homes of the victims, interrogate them, and get more. Don’t just sit in Abuja and investigate. Nothing pains and destroys more than injustice.”
https://twitter.com/Sweet_Okechi/status/1626672485822259201?t=gUHott61icKSfNXok40s-g&s=19
“Why is the investigation going to be handled discreetly? It should be handled publicly. That will help in presenting the Nigeria police in a more transparent light. But then again, what do I know.”
https://twitter.com/alhajimallam/status/1626766068868866048?s=19
“Many years ago when I was schooling at unizik, what I use my eyes to see in the awkuzu sars station eh.. cell 5.”
https://twitter.com/bizzyliss/status/1626621618171641856?s=19
“Till today we still haven’t heard of the Abba kyari case so this is just a cap. You people will definitely sweep it under the carpet as usual.
Nothing happened to the former OC of Awkuzu SARS notorious James Nwafor after all his atrocities.”
https://twitter.com/EmmanuelEquator/status/1626654328281829381?t=QS6gn969rsOTszfC5Zyd2w&s=19
“@PoliceNG can you do a public trial and persecution if you really want to buy back public trust.
What’s left of your colleague that killed a lawyer in lagos in December cos “rumour” has it he has been congratulated with a promotion, pls update us on the latest process.”
https://twitter.com/Davidfolksy/status/1626631468704202779?s=19
In other news, Kanyi Daily reported that the presidency has reacted to the claim that there is a plot to disrupt the 2023 general elections and impose an interim government.
The presidency said such claims are from those who are afraid of losing at the polls.
This was contained in a statement issued by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu on Friday evening.