From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The Abia State Police Command has denied reports of one of the command’s outpost in Aba hosting a shrine. It was reported that policemen at station used the shrine to intimidate and put fear into suspects with a view to coercing them to give information to the police.
The Abia command in a statement by its police public relations officer (PPRO), Maureen Chinaka said the attention of the Abia State Police Command was drawn to video clip depicting a scene, purported to be a shrine located within a Police Station, allegedly used by the police for investigations at Eziame Divisional Police Headquarters.
The statement which said the allegation was false, read in part, “The objects shown in the video, which were referred to as shrine/oracle, are actually exhibits recovered by the police after raiding criminal hideouts and dens in the bushes.
“The report contained in the video is at best a product of ignorance or intentional mischief. However, it is important to note that since the items no longer hold significant evidential/ judicial value, the command will follow established procedures and dispose the exhibits accordingly. This will prevent further misrepresentation, abuse, or mischief.
“Abia state Police Command therefore, uses this medium to urge the public to disregard the allegations contained in the video. The Command hereby assures the public that we shall continue to put in our level best towards enhancing the level of peace and security being experienced throughout Abia State.”
However, some residents who spoke on the issue faulted police in denying the report.
The residents who wouldn’t want their names mentioned in print for fear of being arrested, said although the shrine was not at Eziama police station, but at the state headquarters of the RRS located inside Aba North Local Government Area headquarters, Eziama.
“Why is police denying that shrine video? See, I’m just keeping quiet. The video maker made a mistake. The shrine is in Eziama, yes, but not inside Eziama police divisional headquarters. This shrine is located at the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Eziama, inside Aba North Local Government Headquarters.”
Another resident said, “They may dismantle it tomorrow because of the video but anybody in Aba who goes to RRS and denies knowing about it is a liar. I don’t just want to talk because of how things are in this country,” he said.