Armed police operatives allegedly raid shop, rob residents of phones
In a troubling incident in Anambra State, Nigeria, police operatives have been arrested following allegations of raiding a shop and robbing residents of their mobile phones.
The incident, which occurred in Umueri, Otuocha, Anambra East Local Government Area, sparked public outrage after a video went viral showing local residents protesting against the police actions.
Tochukwu Ikenga, the police spokesperson in Anambra State, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued from Awka on Thursday.
According to Mr. Ikenga, the arrests were prompted by the widespread circulation of a video on social media depicting the aftermath of the raid and the residents’ outcry.
He stated, “The officer mentioned in the video has been identified, and investigations are ongoing. We urge the victims to step forward and assist in the investigation process.”
The video footage revealed a chaotic scene with residents gathered alongside a roadside littered with empty bullet shells and tear-gas canisters.
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A male voice in the background narrated, “Police operatives from Otuocha invaded a shop where people were charging their phones and started shooting indiscriminately. They stole all the phones and ran away. This is robbery.”
In response to the incident, Commissioner of Police Nnaghe Itam called for calm and emphasized the importance of using official channels to report misconduct rather than resorting to public unrest.
He addressed concerns about the infringement of citizens’ rights during protests, urging restraint and cooperation with ongoing investigations.
The community of Umueri, Otuocha, continues to express shock and dismay over the alleged misconduct of the police operatives involved.
Proofreading, editing by Sakinat Musa Abubakar and Maryam Sulaiman, Editor and Journalist at Neptune Prime.
