AGNES NWORIE, ABAKALIKI
THE Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, Garba Aliyu, has denied reports of a jail break or escape of suspects in the state.
The CP, in a press statement, signed by the Command’s image maker, DSP Loveth Odah, described the social and print media news as mischievous and baseless.
CP Garba reassured the public of the Command’s resolve to protect lives and properties in the state.
The statement said, “The attention of the Ebonyi State Police Command has been drawn to a rumour making waves on the social media platform/print media that suspects arrested in connection with Effium/Ezz-Effium intra-communal crisis have escaped from Police custody.
“The Command perceives such rumour as unfounded, mischievous and baseless. It is an attempt to create panic in the minds of Ebonyians, mislead the reading public and distract the command.”
The PPRO added, “Therefore, the Command wishes to re-emphasise that up till this moment, the Command has no record of cell break or escapee(s) from either those arrested and handed over to the Police in connection with Effium/Ezza-Effium Community crisis or suspects involved in any other case within the Command.
“It might interest the public to know that the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State, CP. Aliyu Garba psc, visited Effium/Ezza-Effium community alongside the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe; and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Enugu, on 3rd April, 2021, to inspect the troops and the mobile policemen deployed to the area as the ongoing crisis has defied many peace processes initiated by the State Government.”
She said, during the visit to one of the Effium villages, Okpoduma, where some suspected Effium indigenes were arrested, a search within their surroundings by the security officers recovered five (5) dane guns, one (1) locally made pistol and some cartridges.
Odah stated, “The suspects and all recovered exhibits are currently with the SCID for discrete investigation. The Command therefore reminds the general public that peddling falsehood is inimical to the return of normalcy at Effium community.
“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Police Command, CP. Aliyu Garba psc, urges the general public to regard the news as a rumour, baseless and mischievous to suit the intention of the originator(s) and go about their lawful businesses.”
“The CP wishes the good people of Ebonyi State a happy Easter celebration and reassures them of the Command’s resolve to protect their lives and property,” she added.
