𝑰𝒎𝒐 𝑷𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌 𝑶𝒏 𝑽𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝑶𝒌𝒊𝒈𝒘𝒆 𝑨𝒔𝒔𝒂𝒖𝒍𝒕 𝑪𝒍𝒊𝒑, 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒎 𝑨𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝑶𝒇 𝑻𝒘𝒐 𝑺𝒖𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒔

 

Two suspects arrested as Imo and Abia Commands warn against spreading misinformation

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that the armed men seen assaulting a young lady and her brother in a viral video at Okigwe are not police officers, but members of a local vigilante group.

The video, which spread widely on social media over the weekend, showed the siblings being attacked while they were reportedly on their way to Abia State University. The footage sparked outrage and raised questions about police conduct in the area.

In separate statements on Monday, the police commands in Imo and Abia States moved to clarify the situation.

The Imo State Police Command said the men in the video are operatives of the Imo State Vigilante Organization, a security outfit that operates independently of the police. 

According to the command, two suspects linked to the attack, identified as Ejiogu Nchekwube and Caleb Onyebuchi, have been arrested. They are currently being held at the Okigwe Divisional Police Headquarters while investigation continues.

The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP Audu Garba Bosso, condemned the incident and assured residents that justice will be served.  

“The command remains committed to fairness, discipline, and safeguarding the rights of citizens,” he said. “Whoever is found guilty will face the full weight of the law.”

The Abia State Police Command also issued a statement to distance its officers from the incident. It noted that Okigwe falls under Imo State and is not within Abia’s jurisdiction.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, the Abia Command said information from the DPO covering Okigwe in Imo State confirmed that the attackers were vigilantes, not police officers. The DPO has visited the scene and the suspects are already in custody.

Abia’s Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, reiterated that officers of the Abia Command remain professional and disciplined.  

“Any officer found wanting in conduct will not be spared from disciplinary action,” he said.

Both commands urged the public to stop sharing unverified information online.  

“The spread of unverified information can create unnecessary tension and erode public trust,” DSP Chinaka said. “Abians should verify information from appropriate authorities before posting, liking, or sharing content.”

The Imo Police Command added that it will release more details as investigation progresses.

The incident has renewed calls for better training and oversight of local vigilante groups who often assist police in communities across the Southeast.

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