From GEOFFREY ANYANWU, Awka
There were confusing and contradicting testimonies at the public hearing held in Awka by the joint Senate Committees on Police Affairs and National Security Intelligence over the mystery bodies found floating on Ezu River, Amansea, Awka North Local Government Area on January 19. Also, the state police command has confessed that it was having a serious problem with the investigation of the incident, just as it condemned the haste in which the bodies were buried.
The Senate committees led by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Igwe Paulinus Nwagu and his National Security Intelligence colleague, Mohammed Mangoro, which visited the traditional ruler of Amansea, Igwe Kenneth Okonkwo and the Ezu River before the public hearing at the Conference Hall of the Government House, Awka, were not also happy with the haste in which the bodies were buried and the nearness of the burial site to the river. Other members in the team are Chris Ngige, Mohammed Sani Sani, Solomon Ewuga and Mohammed Shaaba Lafiaji.
The senators had more than they bargained for when people and organisations came up with frightening revelations of alleged atrocities taking place at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Awkuzu, in the state, which had earlier been accused by some bodies as being responsible for the incident. Testimonies were taken from the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Lawrence Ikeakor, Commissioner for Local Government, Mrs. Azuka Enemou, the Chairman, Awka North Local Government Transition Committee,
Mrs. Joy Enwenuzor, Anambra Police Commissioner, Bala Nassarawa, state Director of the SSS, Mr. Alex Okoiyi, the National Director of Information, Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Uche Madu and a legal practitioner, Mr. Emmanuel Udegbunam. Nasarrawa denied claims by MASSOB that nine of its members arrested by the joint team of police, army and SSS and handed over to SARS, Awkuzu, were missing and might be among those found in Ezu River. He described them as baseless as he said he “has the names of the people published as victims and we checked with our records and discovered that there were no such names.”
The SSS director agreed that there was a raid carried out around the period mentioned by MASSOB but could not confirm if it was the same date, just as he confirmed that about four persons arrested were handed over to the police as was the normal practice. The police boss also denied giving authorisation for the burial of the corpses as, according to him, it was not the duty of the police but disclosed that police went to court and got court order for the burial of the three bodies taken away for autopsy but did not say who buried them. He, however, in an answer to a question stated that it was the responsibility of the local government to bury people in such a situation.
He said, “when the governor cut short his visit outside the country and returned because of the incident, he asked me about the evacuation and the arrangement for the burial and I told him it was not the duty of the police and that it is the responsibility of the local government. He then said whoever duty it is, we should cooperate to evacuate the bodies first.” On why police had not unraveled the mystery, the police commissioner told the joint committees that, “there is serious problem with the investigation as there seem to be a conspiracy of silence.
People have refused to come up with useful information despite the pledge of N5 million reward by Governor Peter Obi to anybody that would offer useful lead to the incident.” Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ikeakor, had said he brought in pathologists to carry out autopsy on the bodies and that the three bodies taken away was by the authorisation of police, adding that the police pathologist was in the team that carried out the autopsy but added that the results were yet to be out as the pathologists took some sample tissues to laboratory.
At the hearing the MASSOB Director of Information, Uchenna Madu gave testimony and insisted that nine members of their movement handed over to SARS Awkuzu were missing and might be part of the bodies found floating in the river because police had neither released them nor arraigned them in court. He said for the shortness of information about the public hearing, he would have brought the family members, including wives and children of some of the alleged victims and promised to do so if given another opportunity.
So the committee or is it the senators will now take this cock and bull story to the senate and it will be considered as publc hearing? The discovery of more that twenty dead bodies floating in a River will be treated with this kind of levity in a state that has a governor elected by the people. A community or communites that has traditional rulers, constituency that has Reps and Senators. Our lives in Nigeria is actually like a vapor!
The Pogrom goes on.
Why did they Bury those Corpses? the police have no good intents and purposes for Nigeria. Since the incidence, Police have not come out with any tangible information, It means that both the state Governor, the Police are not representing the interest of the Masses. All what they care for is embezzlement of state TREASURIES. hope the re-shufflement of the Police does not affect Anambra State because if it does, this could be a way to cover the Truth.
There is a serious cover up. People at the top are trying to white-wash this case.
If the police want people to believe that some of the victims are not Massob members, they should provide those members Massob member in their custody, as a proof.
At this stage, the Massob side of the story is reliable.
You said my mind. Police is responsible for this killing and they want to cover it up.
I have looked at the new postings of the police in Igbo land and nearly all the CPS are from the North .It appears
to me that Igbo land is a slave colony.
It’s an established fact by a medical practioner that when you bring an armrobber and a police man treatment, he will first attends to an armrobber first, police’re not our friend as the saying goes. Police ‘re brutal and wicked if those are not massob members who are they? Bokoharam members? The state commissioner of police has a case to answer, or are they security men in uniform as bokoharam members?
I have spoken this before this is the continuation of Hausa/Fulani Jihadist pogrom on the people of biafra ie the Igbo been thier target. Iam disapointed that Peter Obi whom we all look unto has betrayed us like that. Iam more diapointed that since the dearth of Ojukwu no more human being in Igbo Land. I surgest that we should now as a matter of urgency form gorila fighters to defend our defenceless race. Now see what this Boko Haram called IGP did to cover up this issue by redeploying this beast called CP we must do something now to free our people from this bunch of terrorist called Nigerian government.
How can Ngige be in this public hearing and see igboland in a mess. The cp should be removed, please.
Evils are thriving every day in this entity called Nigeria. Let the God of vengeance rise up and intervene on this case.The poor are being marginalised,humiliated ,massacared every day.
Ndi-Igbo War with this evil entity called Nigeria is long overdue!
Dis is 2 show us(Biafrans) dat we re nt 9jirian,period! Onye ajuru adighi aju onwe ya.Lets tek d law in2 our own hands bcos we re nt aceptd in dis entity calld 9jiria.Nzogbu nzogbu enyimba enyi !
Nigeria is too big for any rebels group to operate. The so called MASSOB is a rebel group, just as Boko Haram in the north are Al-qaeda terrorist groups. If MASSOB knows what is good for them, its leadership should disband the group for the interest of peace in Nigeria. If they refuse to disband the group, they should accept in good faith whatever might happen to any of its members. GBAM.
@alhaji don-azumi Gana,The way your name sound show how stupid and hopeless you are,if oil is in the north today can Nigeria will still be one?.Aboki
I am highly disappointed by all these developments. The truth is that Nigeria in never one and that Igbos are under slavery. The Igbos need deliverance from the entity called Nigeria, however, many of our Igbo brothers in Government are sabotours as well as hypocrists.
Nigerian police force is peopled by shamless fellows that refuse to accept the fact that Nigeria is now a democratic entity.During the 2007 presidential election, one of the few independent minded igbo politicians Dr Orji kalu advocated for thedisbandment of the police.i supported and still support that idea .anybody that is familiar with events in Anambra state knows that SARS people are more dangerous than the dreaded BOKO HARAM ABOKIS
The Anambra CP has a very seriuos case to answer both locally and at the world court. He has a hand in this mass murder of Igbos.
Anambra state is full of criminals, from awkuzu, Aguleri, Umuleri, osha and the rest of them. the problem is … if the security forces are being disbanded can that place contain any human being? but they need to be followed properly by our so called govornor obi or opi.
What a wicked generation.God please through the sacrifies of this lenten period deliver us the igbo’s (Biafra) we shall not die we shall live. Umu Biafra God is what us.but for Nigeria gvt i pray that u accept christ b4 it is too late.
What do u hope to gain when u eat with your enemy? Death! Thats what hapenin today, igbos refused to come together 4 this 4 BIAFRA. How can the nigerian govt, tell us that they dont kno who killed those people and they did not care to advertice them when they are stil fresh for recognition? Instead they bury them immidiately and now they claim that the investigation is hard. Let the MASSOB leader and ndigbo swing into action before those northerners(BOKO HARAm) send to igboland under d pretence of govt police finishes our brothers in d prison.
cock n bull story, pages of newspapers must be filled up to divert pple’s attention but i tell u, GOD is watching, no secret is hidden 4rm HIM n one day d killers of this men will face an unadulterated judgement where plea bargain dose not work.
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They were killed by Unknown people as they are aliens, black aliens from outer space.
A Country where a number of men were killed and dumped in a river and nobody, not even the Police knows who they are.
I am not a fan of Biafran agitators but even if they are armed robbbers they do not deserve to be treated in such manner.
May thier souls NOT rest until their killer (s) are fished out. Whatever their crime they do not deserve such.
PETER OBI DID NOT ACT AS REAL IGBOMAN OR SOMEONE TOUCHED BY THOSE THAT BEEN KILLED THE GOVERNOR MUST BE EXAMINED THOUGH RADIO BIAFRA ACCUSED HIM ABOUT THIS KILLINGS ALSO IF MASSOB MEMBERS ARE SURE OF THIS CLAIM AND THEY KNOW THEIR WIVES AND FAMILIES, MY QUESTION WHY NOT ALLOW THEM TO SEE THE DEAD BODIES FOR IDENTIFICATION BECAUSE NOBODY FAILS TO RECOGNIZE HIS BLOODY EVEN IF THE HEAD CUT UP, TRUE LIFE IS MEANINGLESS IN NIGERIA SUCH CAN NEVER HAPPEN IN A BETTER SOCIETIES WHERE THERE IS HUMAN RIGHT. FINALLY I HAVE NOT KNOWN BIAFRANS AS WHO HIS BROTHER OR SISTERS WILL LOST FOR A WHOLE MONTH NOBODY FAIL TO ASK ABOUT HIM EVEN IN OVERSEAS BECAUSE WE LOVE EACH OTHER. AT LEAST ONE PERSON MUST SAY SINCE SO SO DAYS WE NEVER SEE THIS PERSON. LET US LOOK DEEP INTO THIS MATTER IS REAL MYSTERIOUS.
Ben,Peter Obi did not promise Igbos of security of lives and property in his administration let alone Massobians,
Peter Obi is a governor who within100days in office gave the Nigerian Army a shoot at sight order on the same people who voted him into power,the killing left Onitsha,Obosi,Nkpor,Okpoko,iyiowa,Odekpe,Odor rubber and their environs deserted as residents flee for their lives.if the corpse are massobians in Peter Obi’s administration,consider the case dead on arrival,did I lie against Peter Obi?
Alh.Azumi Gana i thought by now u should be able to distinguish b/w freedom or independent movement &terrorist organisation.The director of publicity for massob was physically present&even testified.If this sitting were to take place in the north can any boko haram man come out to be identified.With due respect to ur religion,u must bear in mind that act of terrorism &suicide bombing is synonimous with islam,though all moslems are not terrorists but all terrorists are moslems.Often & on u mix religion &politics,which are supposed to be apart.
For now I will not say anything until de out come of de autopsy. Eventhough I have an ideal about this incident.
Igbos are ONE, and we loved ourselves, but our big problem is the political charater of our heart brother Anambara state, her children are sabotours as well as hypocrists, I wouldn’t just know if its because of MONEY or POWER positions, they are so low and chep to aboki’s and to some of the ofe-nmanu pple that hates Ibgos.The only original Igbo man in Anambara was late great IKEMBA, and when he was alive, he never trusted his state pple, rather he prefered Abians, imo, eboni and enugu. ANMBARA PPLE ARE OUR BIG HEART BROTHERS, BUT YOU GUYS ARE SPOILING THINGS FOR US. ANYTHING THAT AFFECTS U, REFLECTS TO OTHERS IN IGBO LAND, SO BE OF ONE MIND AND CARY OUT THINGS ONE MIND, LEARN TO SPEAK IN ONE VOICE , AND STOP GIVEN CHANCES FOR ABOKIS OR YOROBAS TO BE USING U AGINST YOUR IBGO BROTHERS.
@Chimu na chi eze you have just said it all..
speechless
SUN IF U LIKE EAT MY COMENT OR BURY IT. IF THEY ARE NOT MASSOB BODIES, THEN RELEASE THOSE ARRESTED BY UR MEN, SSS, SARS ETC. REMEMBER ALL THE MEN ARE FROM NORTH AND SECRETLY KILLING NDI IGBO IN OUR LAND.
I wept for my people.one day things must change unexpectedly.i don’t want to ask if not i would have asked where is Ohanaeze,Ekwueme’s,Iwuanyanwu,Nnamani, Ben Obi,Ngigi,Retired Generals,retired Justices leaders of taughts,community leaders,youths,the commuinites of this Massobe that was said to have being killed?can’t our people organised protest in Onitsha ,Awaka ,Enugu ,Nnewi,Aba,Owerri,Nsuka Abakeleke, Okigwe, Orlu, Umuahai,Igbos in diaspora,UAS,UK,Canada to let the whole world know what the fed Police of fed govt of Nigeria is doing to the Igbos.this time we don’t need to blame any Igbo person unless if at the end the so called Igbo leaders where unable to do some thing.if the so called leaders fail to do some thing it will bring everlastin
g shame and disgrace to the so called leaders of Igbos.
Believe me if this is to happen in the north or west,GEJ would have acted with a speed like that of hurricane.
Police invaded Palace of Oba in Oyo state,few days the commissioner was sacked.the action of invading the palace though not good in the part of Police and the sacking which may be good if the commissioner is aware.what i am saying now if commissioner can be sacked because of invasion of the palace where no life
was lost about 30 persons was slaughtered all fingers pointing to Police till now non of the officers are being detained.why should Police get court order to bury the dead bodies if not to cover up?those SARS what stop them from being detained?Igbos were slaughtered out
side their homes and now it have become Igbos being slaughtered in their homes.the Lawyer or the counsel of
the Massobo today on TV said he visited the Police Station many times to see the detained Massobo still they Police refused him access to his Clint. Police should stop denying that the Massobo are not with them
SSS have confirmed that they arrested the members and
handed them over to Police the same month.now let Police produce those people.Police should not bring out
innocent people or persons detained in their cell and term them to be Massobo members.Igbo Lawyers and other intellectuals should petition UNO,Amnesty Int’l ,AU,
ECOWAS,EU Union,USA,Pope,Geneva convention body
on protection of human rights.failure to do so will mean that Igbos have sold themselves to everlasting and perpetual bondage.
I thank God for Prof.Dora Akunyili for her boldness and her fortress. U and yr family will continue to be blessed 4
speaking for the oppressed and the forgotten.for all those involve in this killing and degrading of human life
less than a goat,your everlasting calamity have started and your remembrance will be forgotten,non of yr linage
will be old.as God said the family of Eli non of them will die old so shall all your families end up.U guys will ever
be hunted by yr abominations and the punishment of yr evil will never stop till the end of this world.as you made
children fatherless,women widows,father and mother
childless,brothers and sisters having no brothers and sisters so shall it come upon U all and all yr family.as the
people who slaugthered innocent Biafrians during the war are still paying for their atrocities which they committed so shall you,your generations and your generations yet unborn shall continue to pay for it.
If d Araft was exhumed and taken 2 autopsy 2 acertain d cause of death after years such can be done on ds case,if someone died and buried years ago can be traced to its linage in d western world such can applied 2 ds case if Nigeria gvt is serious wt ds matter.SSS should produce d name of dos they handed ova to d police,and police should produce d persons they acptd to dia custudy.dis is no confusing issue on ds matter,let dem d facts.
You are not a Nigerian I suppose
”ANY SOCIETY THAT ELIMINATES THE BEST IN IT IS NOT WORTHY OF EXISTENCE”
THIS IS JUST D STORY OF A BIRD, AN AEROPLANE, A FOUL , & A GOAT.
IT IS ONLY IN NIG. THAT THIS KIND OF BABARISM CAN TAKE PLACE.
NOW D AUTHORITIES ARE TRYING TO COVER UP THEIR ASSES.
BUT GOD ALMIGHTY IS WATCHING, HE SAW THE KILLERS & HE KNOWS THEM
VERY SOON & VERY VERY SOON, THEY SHALL REAP WHAT THEY SOW .
GOD IS WATCHING