Police interrogate three Abia monarchs, local security commanders over reported killings

Abia State Police Command has said that it is aware of the broadcast by Arise TV on the alleged killing of young men and adult males by members of local community security watch groups in Umuogele (Aba South LGA), Iheorji (Aba South LGA), and Nkpaevula (Ugwunagbo LGA) with the backing of their respective traditional rulers (Ezes).

This is even as it said that the traditional rulers, youth leaders and vigilante commanders of the affected communities are currently being interrogated by the police.

A statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Maureen Chinaka, however, clarified that no such report of killings was received at the Command Headquarters, Area Commands nor at any Divisional Police Headquarters.

She also said that no related complaint has been lodged through the Command’s emergency contacts, Complaint Response Unit or any of its verified social media channels.

The PPRO added that an investigation team headed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), has been set up to look into the alleged incidents and examine the circumstances surrounding them, with the mandate to identify and track down the perpetrators of the alleged crime.

“All relevant stakeholders, including the Ezes, vigilante commanders and youth leaders from the affected communities are currently being interrogated by the police”, the statement said.

According to the spokesperson, the commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa encouraged members of the public to speak up and report incidents that threatened their security through appropriate police channels.