Anambra CP queries DPO, two officers over missing robbery suspect
By Goodness Ndukuba, Awka
The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, has ordered the immediate issuance of queries to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of 3-3 Police Station and a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) over the alleged failure to account for an armed robbery suspect reportedly arrested and brought to the station.
The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, saying the Commissioner also directed the immediate commencement of disciplinary proceedings against an Inspector of Police over the matter.
According to him, Nnanna issued the directives on Oct. 5, after personally interviewing the complainant and the police officers concerned following the circulation of a viral video alleging that an armed robbery suspect arrested and taken to the station could no longer be accounted for.
Ikenga said the Commissioner described the allegation as serious and capable of undermining public confidence in the Police, stressing that the Command would not condone unprofessional conduct, dereliction of duty, abuse of office or any compromise of established procedures by its personnel.
He said CP Nnanna had consequently directed the Command’s X-Squad to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s arrest, detention, documentation and subsequent whereabouts.
The investigation, he added, would also examine the actions and responsibilities of all police officers involved in the matter.
Ikenga further disclosed that the Commissioner had ordered the implementation of necessary operational measures to facilitate the arrest of the suspect, while assuring members of the public that the Command would communicate the outcome of the investigation once the facts had been established.
He, however, quoted the Commissioner as cautioning members of the public against circulating unverified information capable of prejudicing the ongoing investigation, stressing that the facts must be established through due process.
Ikenga said CP Nnanna reiterated that accountability remained a core component of his leadership philosophy and that no police officer was above scrutiny or the established disciplinary process.
