The Anambra State Police Command has paraded eight individuals who were arrested in connection with the vandalization of the recently constructed Second Niger Bridge. The police also managed to recover iron grills and drainage covers that were removed from the bridge by the vandals.
During a press briefing on Monday, Anambra State Police Commissioner, Aderemi Adeoye, provided an update on the situation and paraded a total of 129 suspects who were apprehended for various crimes. Among the paraded individuals are suspected members of cult groups that have been causing terror in the state capital, Awka, as well as suspected members of the separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), involved in kidnapping and armed robbery.
Addressing journalists, Commissioner Adeoye said, “During my three months as CP, I am pleased to inform the public about the progress we have made in fighting crime and ensuring the security of the people of Anambra. We are grateful for the unprecedented support from the public, the media, and the state government, which has contributed to the restoration of normalcy.”
Commissioner Adeoye expressed concern about the continued vandalization of the Second Niger Bridge, stating, “Approximately a month ago, the Federal Ministry of Works alerted us to the activities of vandals on this project, which was constructed at a substantial cost. I personally inspected the damage and instructed the immediate dismantlement of the syndicate. In collaboration with the ministry and Julius Berger, we identified and apprehended five suspects who specialized in stealing iron grills and drainage covers from the bridge. Based on their confessions, we subsequently arrested three individuals who had purchased the stolen materials.”
In addition to addressing the vandalization of the bridge, Commissioner Adeoye also discussed the arrest of cultists involved in the spate of cult-related killings in Awka. He stated, “The prevalence of cult-related killings in Awka was a significant cause for concern, and people felt unsafe. However, we assured them of their safety, conducted proactive investigations, and within a week, we arrested and charged 34 cult suspects. The judiciary has remanded all of them in prison custody. Furthermore, we successfully tracked down one of the most notorious killers, apprehending him in his hideout in Enugu. He confessed to his involvement in the murder of four individuals over the past six months.”
In total, Commissioner Adeoye paraded 129 suspects, and the police were able to recover 26 firearms, 93 rounds of ammunition, 25 vehicles, 14 tricycles, and seven motorcycles. They also retrieved one roll of armored cables and 16 additional iron grills stolen from the bridge.
