The Anambra State Police Command has refuted a report, alleging that a Fulani terrorist sneaked into Awada Grace of God Church, Onitsha, last Sunday evening to bomb the church, describing it as a malicious report.
The Command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement, yesterday, said the report was not only false, but a mischievous scheme to cause tension in the state.
He said: “The attention of the Anambra State Police Command has been drawn to a publication from a Facebook user, saying that four Fulani terrorists sneaked into Awada Grace of God Church on Sunday, July 3, in the evening to bomb the church.
“As few people were still in the church, one of them was captured and burnt to ashes, while three of them escaped and ran into Army barrack in that area.
“It is not only false, but a complete mischievous scheme by mischief makers to cause tension in the state by inciting ethnic/religion hatred and conflict.
“The Police Command will never allow bad elements in any guise to distract the peace we enjoy in the state.
“To put the record straight, the Command wishes to state as follow, at about 3:00p.m. on same date, the Command received a distress call, along NEPA road Awada, that a male criminal, name and address unknown was set ablaze.
“The operatives, on arrival at the scene made enquiries from eyewitness, which testified that the victim is a criminal caught in an attempt to rob an innocent citizen before he was lynched and set ablaze by angry mob.
“Also, the geographical map in the area shows there is no Military Barrack close to where the incident occurred. It was just a mischievous and sensational reaction by the Facebook user to achieve his selfish desire from the unfortunate incident.
“Recall the Command has always condemned mob action by some members of the public who resort to jungle justice whenever they arrest suspects in respect of any crime without recourse to the Police for proper investigation.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, has ordered immediate investigation on the Facebook user, warning its originators and peddlers to desist forthwith, as they would not be spared if apprehended.
“The publication is unfortunate and one that is capable of misinforming and misleading the general public. The originators and peddlers should desist forthwith, as they would not be spared if apprehended, “Echeng said.
