By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Government has vowed to investigate the alleged killing of a woman in the state by operatives of the Agụnechemba security outfit, popularly known as Operation Udo Ga-Achị.
The assurance comes amidst the recent outburst by residents and viral videos circulating on social media, in which enraged locals were seen protesting over what they described as the excesses and unprofessional conduct of some members of the security outfit recently launched by the state government.
In one of the videos, a visibly agitated crowd is seen in a chaotic atmosphere, chanting and pointing fingers at the security operatives whom they accused of shooting and killing an “innocent” woman at Mgbakwu, Awka North Local Government Area. Although the exact details of the incident remain unclear, a male voice narrating in the background of the video insisted that the deceased did nothing to warrant such an extreme action. He also passionately called on Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to intervene and ensure that those responsible are brought to book.
However, when contacted by this reporter, the State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, said the government was aware of the allegations and had already begun looking into the matter.
He utterly condemned any unlawful killing, emphasizing that the primary objective of Agụnechemba was to restore security and not to instill fear or engage in reckless shootings. He further assured that the government would not tolerate any abuse of power or extrajudicial actions from any security operative in the state.
According to him, while the Agụnechemba operatives have generally conducted themselves within the confines of the law since their inception, any proven case of misconduct or excessive use of force would be met with severe consequences.
While admitting that security operatives have the right to protect themselves in the line of duty, Commissioner Mefor also stressed that the use of firearms must always be justified and proportionate to the threat at hand.
Although he attested that the security outfit had contributed immensely to reducing crime and restoring peace in Anambra, given the significant progress recorded since their deployment, he, however, maintained that any unlawful killing must be investigated and, if necessary, punished accordingly.
“We need to establish the facts before drawing any conclusions. First, we must identify the specific unit involved and speak with their commander to get their own version of what transpired. It is also important to visit the community and hear from eyewitnesses who may be able to corroborate the reports,” he stated.
He assured that the government would reach out to the commander of Agụnechemba, Ken Emeakayi, to ascertain what really happened. He also explained that an armed security operative is only justified in using force when confronted with a serious threat, emphasizing that any operative who fails to adhere to professional standards will face disciplinary actions.
“They were not deployed to kill innocent people. If it is confirmed that the woman was unarmed and posed no threat, then those involved must be held accountable. The government will not shield anyone found guilty of wrongdoing,” he added.
He also reassured the grieving family and the affected community that the government would ensure justice is served, while equally urging them to remain calm and allow the investigative process to take its course.
“This is a serious matter. If a life was lost, then a thorough investigation is necessary. We must get to the root of it and determine whether the operatives acted within the law or outside of it,” he concluded, further emphasizing that Governor Soludo’s administration would never allow security operatives to become lawless or abusive in their operations.
Watch the video:
