Correspondent

Anambra arrests 35 criminal suspects



Anambra State Government Joint Taskforce (JTF) on security has arrested 35 criminal suspects.

They were arrested at different locations by the men of Special Joint Task Force ( JTF) led by Operation Clean and Health Anambra (Ocha Brigade) in collaboration with the Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG)

The suspects were arrested in connection with drugs peddling and Indian hemp smoking, extortion of money from motorists, pickingpocket, "one chance" and related offences.

Speaking about the arrest, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Ocha Brigade, Mr Anthony Agbafune, said the agency was determined to keep the state healthy and clean for the resident to live.

According to him, those arrested were people terrorising the state and environs.
He said they were involved in robbing innocent citizens, selling hard drugs, (mkpurumiri) to youths, stealing and extorting money from the motorists.

He said the governor had given them mandate to rid Anambra state of the bad eggs polluting the environment.

He said,"We have the mandate of the governor to sanitise the state and make it habitable."
Agbafune also stated that the suspects would be transferred to appropriate authority for arraignment, adding, "We will soon move those suspects involved in drugs to National Drugs Law
Enforcement Agency( NDELA) ,Police and the Ministry of Justice for necessary actions. Our job is to pick the defaulters, document them and move them to the appropriate agency for necessary action."

He said the agency was determined and committed to eradicating the state of nuisance in line with the governor's dream of a clean and healthy Anambra state.

According to him, the Managing Director of Ocha brigade, Mr. Celestine Annere had been committed to keeping the mandate of the agency.
He said that in the one year he had been piloting the affairs of the agency , a lot of positive things had happened in terms of clearing Anambra of bad eggs.

Speaking to journalists, one of the suspects, Mr. Mike Agara from Taraba state said he smoked indian hemp but was not selling it.
According to him , the indian hemp found in his room did not belong to him but his brother who sold it.

Ikene Eze, from Enugu state also admitted that he dealt on mkpurumiri and others ,noting that he got his supply from Imo State.

According to him, he was involved in the drugs business because he had no job, instead of becoming armed robber.

He said he sold to big trucks drivers because they used it when driving at night to avoid sleeping.

Chima Abigwe from lmo State,said he was arrested where he was sleeping in an open place because he did not have a home in Onitsha where to live

Chukwuemeka Chukwunoso from Anambra state,said he was arrested while walking to his house around 11pm because there were no vehicle at that time.
Onyekachi Atu, from Abia state said he was picked on the road while moving to his house at late hour.
On whether he was the only person on the road when he was arrested he said, he was arrested because he was not doing anything there.

Chukwurah Micheal, from Anambra state , who admitted of engaging in stealing people money and property in vehicles appealed forgiveness.
He said he was involved in the act because he had not been work doing .