Police authorities in Anambra State have refuted recent allegations made by a kidnap victim, stating that Umunze community in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State serves as the headquarters of kidnappers.
The victim, who was held captive for four days and released after a ransom was paid, recounted that when his vehicle was traced to Umunze, police operatives informed his relatives that the area was the kidnappers’ headquarters and a ‘no-go area.’
However, the Anambra State Police Command has discredited these claims, asserting that the police have a divisional station in the town and have recently dismantled a kidnapping gang in the area.
In a press release by the spokesperson for the command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, it was stated: “While sympathizing with the kidnap victim who was allegedly held for four days in the area, it is important to let the public know that the claims attributed to the man are false and baseless.”
“The Divisional Police Headquarters in Umunze is functioning at full capacity and the Police continue to discharge its responsibilities to the people in the area.”
The Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye was quoted by Ikenga as assuring the people of the state that their safety remains the most important priority of the Police Command.
“The public will recall that the Police-led Forward Operating Base in Aguata just last month smashed the insurgents’ Camp at Ogbunka near Umunze, rescuing three kidnapped victims including a Priest; recovering nine stolen Vehicles and three Pump Action Guns and arresting three of the criminals. So how can anyone claim the Police described Umunze as a no-go area?
“Police are, however, aware of insurgent activities to the south of Umunze in a neighbouring state and collaborative effort is ongoing to root them out of the place,” the release stated.