By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Police Operatives attached to the Atani Divisional Police Headquarters in Anambra State have recovered a burnt dead body in a refuse dump at Iyiowa Odekpe in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the State.
According to a press release issued by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the body was discovered on Tuesday, 7th May 2025 at about 12:30pm during a patrol by the operatives.
He said preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased was part of a gang known for stealing car batteries in the area. The deceased, according to the statement, was said to have been caught earlier in the day and set ablaze by an angry mob, while his gang members fled the scene.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc MNIPS PhD, condemned the mob action, describing it as unlawful and counterproductive. He advised members of the public to always hand over suspects to the Police for proper investigation and prosecution, instead of resorting to jungle justice.
That, he said, would afford the Police the opportunity to investigate the suspect thoroughly and possibly arrest other members of the gang, in line with the law.
The Police Commissioner further urged members of the public to exercise restraint and continue to cooperate with security agencies to ensure peace and justice prevail in the state.
