The Anambra Police Command has invited relatives of any of the nine Taraba fishermen, allegedly kidnapped in the state, to come forward with any useful information.
Unconfirmed reports that went viral last week, had it that a total of four fishermen were allegedly murdered by yet-to-be-identified persons, while nine others were abducted at River Niger in the State.
The incident reportedly happened when the fishermen, who hail from Ibbi Local Government of Taraba State were traveling to the Ossomala community axis of the River Niger, in Ogbaru local government area of the State for their annual fishing activities.
The reports have it that the victims were in a 24-seater bus with their family members before they were intercepted by their captors
The report quoted one of the relatives of the nine hostages, Mr. Sule Hussein, as saying that they had received calls from some people claiming to be IPOB members demanding ransom for the release of the nine fishermen.
But in a statement on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga wondered why a crime of such magnitude would happen and there is no report of it in any of the stations on the command.
Ikenga while noting the reactions of many interested parties, assured of the command’s “readiness to deploy investigative assets and partner with any concerned body or interest to help for possible rescue.”
The statement reads: “Anambra State Police Command is aware of trending publications on the alleged incident of Nine fishermen kidnapped in Anambra, and the Command not wanting to join issues with anyone invites the relatives of the victims of the alleged incident to come forward and assist us with necessary information.
“This shall help us to embark on investigations and drive our decision on security deployment and strategy in the state to prevent such reoccurring if it is true.
“The Command expressed shock that a case of such magnitude trending online does not have any link with any Police Formation in the State and also noted the reactions of some alleged interested parties and persons.
“The Command reiterates its commitment to delivering on its mandate on the protection of lives and property, urging members of the public, especially the eyewitnesses or otherwise with any useful information in this regard are advised to call the Command Control Room at 07039194332 or the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) at 08039334002.”
