The Police Command in Anambra state has debunked the rumours making the rounds that four Fulani terrorists sneaked into the state to burn a Church in Awada, Onitsha.
Debunking the rumours in a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Deputy Superintendent of Police Tochukwu Ikenga said the story was not only false but mischievous by mischief makers to cause tension in the state by inciting ethnic and religious hatred and conflict.
He explained that the rumour followed a publication from a facebook user, Chinasa Nworu who said four Fulani Terrorists sneaked into Awada Grace of God church on Sunday in the evening to bomb the church when few people were still in the church.
DSP Ikenga said, Nworu pointed out that one of them was captured and burnt to ashes, while three of them escaped and ran into the Nigeria military barracks in that area_
The Image Maker said the Police Command would never allow bad elements in any guise to distract the peace, the state was enjoying.
He said the Command received a distress call, along Nepa road Awada, that a male criminal, whose name and address were unknown was set ablaze.
According to him,the Police operatives, on arrival at the scene made enquiries from eyewitness,which showed that the victim was a criminal caught in an attempt to rob an innocent citizen before he was lynched and set ablaze by angry mob.
He also explained that from the geographical map of the area,there was no Military Barracks close to where the incident occurred.
He said the Command condemned the act of mob action by some members of the public who resorted to jungle justice whenever they arrested suspects in respect of any crime without recourse to the Police for proper investigation.
Correspondent Kevin Ekediegwu reports that DSP Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Echeng Echeng had ordered immediate investigation on the Facebook user, describing the publication as unfortunate and one that was capable of misinforming and misleading members of the public,while warning originators and peddlers of false information to desist forthwith, as they would not be spared if apprehended.
