By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State, the Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG) has denied having any connection with the armed men who were arrested and detained at the headquarters of the Department of State Service.
The Public Relations Officer of AVG, Mr. Nweke Nweke stated this in response to recent reports circulating on social media regarding the arrest of individuals wielding Pump Action Guns in Onitsha, Anambra State.
A self-acclaimed vigilante official, Mr. Chukwukwunoso Imah had told newsmen over the week that the armed men were vigilante operatives and claimed that they were arrested where they were protecting some female officials of the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS). He also claimed that the men were beaten and filmed, after which their videos and other publications surfaced online where they were labelled illegal revenue collectors.
However, in his reaction to the claim, the AVG PRO, Mr. Nweke said none of the detainees currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) is genuine personnel of AVG.
He said the armed detainees were impersonators who had claim to be AVG officers; urging the DSS to thoroughly interrogate the impersonators and arraign them in court to serve as deterrent to others.
He said: “The Anambra Vigilante Group, AVG has stated categorically that none of its personnel is detained in the custody of the Department of Security Services, DSS; rather, some of the persons impersonating the local security outfit are currently undergoing interrogations in the office of the plane clothes security service.
“This is coming on the heels of the news making the rounds on social media on the arrests of people wielding Pump Action Guns and was arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State a few days ago, alongside some staff of the State Internal Revenue Service(AIRS).
“Although the impersonators, in their usual way, had posed as the personnel of the AVG, but unknown to the staff of the AIRS that all that glitters are not gold, they engaged the services of the impersonators but luck ran against them when members of the tricycles union in Onitsha who have been the victims of the impersonators apprehended them and handed them over to the AIRS Director of Operations team, headed by Dr. Christian Madubuko.”
Continuing, he said “My office had recently decried the impersonation of the AVG by some disgruntled elements; even as the AVG urges the DSS to task the arrested persons to unveil their partners-in-impersonation, saying that they might have formed a syndicate.
“I am challenging Chukwukwunoso Imah (a.k.a. Ambassador) to make public their unit in AVG and who is their Commander. During our routine checks, we don’t have such a name as Chukwukwunoso Imah (Ambassador) in our records, and until he proves otherwise, he and his group remain AVG impersonators.
“AVG has mouthpieces but because they were paid to work towards colluding the heads of the AVG, the AIRS, and the state government; but the said Chukwukwunoso Imah granted press interview without recourse of the consequences, all in his bid to possibly satisfy their postmaster(s).
“If they are real, why didn’t Chukwukwunoso Imah (a.k.a Ambassador) or other members of his gang contact our office when they were apprehended, because they knew they’re fake, they resorted to making their way to the press, aimed at causing disaffection between the AVG, the general public, and as well, the State government; and we thank God that the vulture is going state he who made it the king of animals?”
The AVG PRO further called upon the members of the public to disregard any media reports aimed at tarnishing the group’s reputation. They also encouraged individuals who come across attempts to discredit AVG to report such incidents to their office or the nearest police station for prompt action.
He further reiterated the AVG’s commitment to serving the people of the State and and its dedication to protecting the welfare of law-abiding citizens. He also expressed gratitude for the continuous support and trust from the public and affirmed their determination to safeguard the security and well-being of residents in Anambra State.
