An armed robbery suspects, who was injured in the cause of arrest by the security agents, has outwitted a police guard and escaped from an undisclosed hospital in Anambra State.
The State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, who disclosed this in a statement, in Awka, on Sunday, said the Police Officer on that shift has been arrested, detained and he is currently undergoing a disciplinary procedure that may result in dismissal.
The information is in reaction to a publication by a media platform alleging that one robbery suspect arrested in Obosi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state last week was tortured to death while the other was released to go.
The statement read in part; “The attention of Anambra State Police Command has been drawn to a tendentious publication alleging that one Robbery Suspect arrested in Obosi last week was tortured to death while the other was released to go.
“It is unprofessional to make such a publication without cross-checking the facts with the Police Command despite having unfettered access to such clarification.
“The Medium is establishing a pattern of deliberately falsifying narratives with a view to discrediting the Command for reasons best known to it. It was in a similar fashion it deliberately misquoted a statement made by the Commissioner of Police during his maiden Press Briefing which it never attended in an attempt to whip up disaffection against the Command.
“In this instant case, the two robbery suspects were neither tortured nor handed to any vigilante group.
“On receiving the report of the arrest the Commissioner of Police promptly ordered that they be taken to hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds sustained in the cause of arrest. Both suspects were taken to the hospital where one gave up the ghost overnight.
“Two days later the other suspect outwitted his Police Guard in hospital and escaped. The Police Officer on that shift was arrested and detained. He is currently undergoing a disciplinary procedure that may result in dismissal.
“Members of the public are enjoined to discountenance the vile propaganda emanating from Sahara Reporters seeking to paint the Command black. They are reassured of the Command’s commitment to protecting the lives and Property of all in Anambra State,” the statement noted. (Nigerian Tribune)
