The Police in Anambra State on Tuesday debunked reports making rounds concerning alleged plans by a group of terrorists to bomb a church in Awada area of the state.
According to the police, the incident of a criminal lynched and set ablaze by an angry mob while attempting to rob a resident of the area is being rumoured and assumed to be a terrorist attack.
In a statement by the spokesperson of the police, Tochukwu Ikenga he described the report as the handiwork of mischief makers who want to stir tension in the state.
Ikenga also warned that “the Command would not allow bad elements to distract the peace in the state.”
Part of the statement reads: “The attention of the Anambra State Police Command has been drawn to a publication from a Facebook
user, Chinasa Nworu saying that Four Fulani Terrorists sneaked into Awada Grace of God church on Sunday 3/7/2022 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 the Nigeria military 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/religious 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 3pm on same date, the Command received a distress call, along Nepa road Awada, that male criminal, Name and Address unknown was set ablaze.
“The operatives, on arrival at the scene made enquiries from eyewitnesses, showing that the victim is a criminal caught in an attempt to rob an innocent citizen before he was lynched and set ablaze by an angry mob.
“Also, from 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 have always condemned the act of 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.”
Against this backdrop, Ikenga disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng has ordered an immediate investigation on the Facebook user, warning its originators and peddlers to desist forthwith, as they would not be spared if apprehended.
“The mendacious 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,” he stressed