The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, Nnanna Ama, has ordered the immediate issuance of queries to the Divisional Police Officer in charge of 3-3 Police Station and a Deputy Superintendent of Police over the alleged disappearance of an armed robbery suspect.
In a statement on Tuesday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the CP gave the directives on October 5, after interviewing the complainant and the police officers concerned over a viral video alleging that the suspect had disappeared from the station.
Ikenga said the commissioner had also directed the immediate commencement of disciplinary proceedings against an Inspector of Police in connection with the incident.
The suspect was reportedly arrested and brought to the station but could not subsequently be accounted for. Ikenga said the CP described the allegation as serious and capable of undermining public confidence in the Police.
According to him, Ama stressed that the Command would not condone any act of unprofessional conduct, dereliction of duty, abuse of office or compromise of established procedures by any police officer.
The statement read, “The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Ama, has ordered the immediate issuance of queries to the Divisional Police Officer in charge of 3-3 Police Station and a Deputy Superintendent of Police, while directing the immediate commencement of disciplinary proceedings against an Inspector of Police.
“The directive followed allegations concerning the whereabouts of an armed robbery suspect reportedly arrested and brought to the station.
“The Commissioner has consequently directed the X-Squad of the Command to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest, detention, documentation and subsequent whereabouts of the suspect, including the actions and responsibilities of officers involved.
“The CP further disclosed that necessary operational measures have been put in place to facilitate the arrest of the suspect, while assuring members of the public that the Command would communicate the outcome of the investigation when established.”
Ikenga said the Commissioner also cautioned members of the public against circulating unverified information capable of prejudicing the ongoing investigation.
He said the CP noted that facts must be established through due process.
“He reiterated that accountability remains a core component of the Command’s leadership philosophy, and that no police officer is above scrutiny or the established disciplinary process,” the statement added.