From Ifeoma Ejiofor
Corruption Watch, a human rights group has protested an alleged unlawful arrest, detention, forceful entry, stealing from suspects and eventual barnishment of the victims perpetrated the AVG.
The allegations against the Anambra State Vigilante Group (AVG) was contained in petition signed by Comr Ogbuka TC with reference number: CWO/CELL/GROUP/HR/ANSC/002201/24, addressed to Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, Zone 13.
Corruption Watch in the petition on behalf of Messrs Chidozie Pius of Agbani village and Kelechi Nnoruka both from Ukpor in Nnewi South LGA of Anambra State alleged that the duo were unlawfully arrested on November 23, 2023.
“On the said date, at about 11.00pm, some men claiming to be members of AVG stormed the home of Mr Chidoze Pius and carted away household properties including two bags of rice, five million Naira.
“Kelechi Nnoruka was also arrested on the same day, his motorcycle was siezed and two hundred thousand Naira in his possession was also taken by acclaimed vigilante operatives.
“The five million Naira in question taken from Mr Pius was for the supply of building materials for his client’s building project, other properties include; motorcycle, infinix phone, POS machine, power bank, charger, necklace, bracelet and shoes.
“Nnoruka’s properties taken includes; two phones, wristwatch, shoes, bags containing clothes and two hundred thousand Naira meant for building project in his father’s compound.”
Corruption Watch alleged that the victims of AVG’s extra judicial activities were totured and were denied assess to family members.
The human rights group Said, “The duo of Pius Chidozie and Kelechi Nnoruka on the night of January 23, that is complete two months that they have been held in illegal detention were driven in the middle of the night from Ukpor headquarters of AVS (Ebubeagu) and taken to a location in Imo State.
“They were instructed never in their lives enter Ukpor or any community in Anambra State again. We wish to state with all sense of responsibility that the twist to the arrest, detention, extortion and barnishment of the two youths to another state is alien to all known laws.
“We also wish to place on record that Corruption Watch is not against AVG doing it’s security job within the ambit of law, but the treatment meted out to the young men is condemnable and unacceptable. We hereby demand justice for these youths of Anambra.”
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of AVG, Mr Nweke Nweke could not be reached on phone for his comments over the development.