The police in Anambra State have arrested two suspects over alleged circulation of a deceptive video clip able to escalating the communal dispute between Aguleri and Umuoba Anam communities within the state.
The police spokesperson within the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in an announcement on Tuesday.
PREMIUM TIMES reviews that at the very least 5 folks had been killed, a number of homes razed, and livelihoods destroyed in early October in a lethal intercommunal clash between Amaeze Aguleri and Umuoba Anam in Anambra East Local Government Area of the state.
The Anambra State Government earlier ordered the quick closure of the Otuocha Market following the disaster within the communities.
The authorities subsequently arrange a judicial fee of inquiry to examine the lethal intercommunal clash.
False, inciting video
Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, mentioned within the Tuesday assertion that the suspects had been arrested on 26 October by unnamed neighborhood members and handed over to the police.
The spokesperson recognized the suspects as Chimezie Peter, 17, and Sunday Offordile.
“Preliminary data signifies that the suspects had been allegedly intercepted whereas recording a video that includes some indigenes of Umueri returning lawfully from their farms.
“The video was reportedly accompanied by claims portraying the individuals as armed persons from Aguleri allegedly lying in wait to attack and kill anyone from Umuoba Anam passing through the route,” he mentioned.
Mr Ikenga mentioned the circumstances surrounding the recording and circulation of the video, together with the authenticity, origin and supposed function of the accompanying claims, had been being investigated.
“The Command is particularly concerned that misleading information of this nature, if deliberately circulated, could provoke reprisals, heighten communal tensions and undermine ongoing peacebuilding efforts,” he mentioned.
Investigations nonetheless ongoing
Mr Ikenga mentioned the suspects, throughout preliminary interrogation, made statements related to the allegations.
He, nevertheless, burdened that the police within the state had been nonetheless finishing up the investigation and that the circumstances of the incident have to be established earlier than any definitive conclusion can be reached.
“The suspects are being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, for further investigation and necessary legal action,” he mentioned.
Commissioner’s warning and assurances
Mr Ikenga mentioned the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Nnanna Ama, has reiterated the Command’s dedication to defending lives and property, preserving public order and stopping the escalation of communal disputes by well timed, intelligence-led policing and efficient collaboration with neighborhood members.
Mr Ama cautioned members of the general public towards recording, publishing or circulating unverified content material and provocative narratives that might misrepresent occasions, incite hostility or set off violence between neighbouring communities.
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The commissioner urged residents to confirm data earlier than sharing it and to report safety issues by applicable channels slightly than resorting to hypothesis or inflammatory publications.
The police chief additionally assured that the police within the state would proceed to have interaction conventional rulers, neighborhood leaders, vigilante teams and different related stakeholders to maintain peace, promote mutual understanding and be sure that anybody discovered culpable of felony conduct was handled in accordance with the legislation.
He additional appealed to the folks of Aguleri, Umuoba Anam and Umueri to stay calm, train restraint and assist ongoing peace initiatives.
“No individual or group should take the law into their own hands or engage in retaliatory actions based on unverified information,” he appealed.
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