IGP inaugurates panel to investigate alleged involvement of officers in serial killings, selling body parts in Anambra
The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has formed a panel to investigate allegations of extrajudicial killings, corruption, and high-handedness leveled against some police officers serving at the Zone 13 Command, Ukpo-Dunukofia, and the Anambra State Command.
This was revealed in a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
This follows the publication of videos of victims in captivity and the morgue by an anonymous Instagram blog, Gistlovers, alleging that a senior police officer in Anambra state, identified as Patrick Agbazue, is involved in kidnapping, murdering citizens, selling their body parts, and forcibly taking ownership of their properties.
The blog also claimed that Patrick and his team are worse than their predecessor, James Nwafor, who was accused of similar crimes while leading Anambra’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
In response to the allegations, Adejobi stated on Friday that Patrick and other alleged accomplices reported to the force headquarters in Abuja today (Friday).
He stated that the panel formed to investigate extrajudicial killings was given two weeks to produce an investigation report.
Adejobi went on to say that the IG has assured him that the findings of the investigations will determine the next course of action, and that the Nigeria Police Force will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is served in the case and that any officers found guilty face sanctions.
The statement reads:
The IG has set up a special investigation panel under the IG’s Monitoring and Mentoring Unit to commence investigations into some weighty allegations of unprofessionalism, high-handedness, and extra-judicial killings levelled against its officers serving at the Zone 13 Command, Ukpo-Dunukofia, and the Anambra State Command on social media platforms.
In light of the serious allegations levelled against the officers – CSP Patrick Agbazue, officer-in-charge of the Rapid Response Squad, Anambra State Command, SP Nwode Nkeiruka, the PPRO of Zone 13 Headquarters, Ukpo-Dunukofia, and Inspector Harrison Akama attached to the RRS, reported at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja on Friday.
This was on the directive of the IG for the commencement of investigations to ascertain the veracity of the allegations for further necessary action, while the panel has been given a period of two weeks to come up with a report of investigations.
The force enjoins any member of the public who has had experiences or information on acts of high-handedness, extortion, or extra-judicial killings by the officers in question, to forward same with detailed information via mobile number 08036242591, or by email via [email protected], [email protected] to enable the panel achieve a wholistic investigation.
