The Anambra State Police Command has identified and arrested officers accused of stealing mobile phones in Otuocha Local Government Area.
A viral video showed residents claiming that police officers from the Otuocha Police Division forcefully took phones that were being charged in their homes.
In the video, a resident described how heavily armed police officers stormed their community late on Tuesday, unplugged phones from sockets, and took them without any explanation. The incident led to a protest, with residents blocking a major road to express their outrage and demand the return of their phones.
Following the public outcry, Anambra State Police spokesman SP Tochukwu Ikenga issued a statement on Thursday. He confirmed that the police command had identified the officers involved and urged the victims to come forward to assist with the investigation.
“The Anambra State Police Command has intercepted a video of a protest against police action and wishes to state that the police team and the officers mentioned in the video have been identified,” Ikenga said. “The command also invites the victims to come forward to help facilitate the necessary action involved in the investigation.”
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Ikenga emphasized the importance of using official complaint channels rather than resorting to protests that disrupt public order. “We seek a police force that is civil and professional in discharging their duties. Aggrieved residents should make use of police complaint channels to express any grievances,” he said.
Residents can report incidents to the CP Monitoring Unit of Command, the Police X-Squad, the State Criminal Investigation Department Police Complaints Bureau, or the Complaint Response Unit under the Police Public Relations Department in Awka. Contact numbers provided for reporting are 07039194332 and 08039334002. The “NPF Rescue Me App” is also available for download on Android and Apple iOS phones to make reports.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, has called for calm and assured the public that further details will be communicated as the investigation progresses.