9 Ebonyi Youths have been arrested by the state’s police command, over their involvement in the attack of four policemen and setting ablaze a Toyota Camry vehicle belonging to the officers at Amaoso Edda community in Afikpo South Local Government area of the state.
The state Police Public Relation Officer, Loveth Odah, who confirmed the incident and spoke to newsmen in the state capital, Abakiliki, said the police officers had gone on a special duty in the community with unbranded Toyota Camry car when the youths attacked them with stones, sticks, and other dangerous weapons as they mistook the cops for kidnappers.
According to Police PRO, the arrested Ebonyi Youths claimed that they thought the police officers were kidnappers, because they were not in uniforms or branded vehicles for easy identification at the time of the incident.
Odah said, “While the police personnel were protecting their AK-47 from being snatched by the youths, they gained access and set the Toyota Camry car on fire.
“Not done with the attack, the youths went ahead and injured the four police officers before fleeing from the area to an unknown destination.” he added.
Odah who condemned the attack on the security personnel and appealed to community leaders to stop harbouring miscreants in their domain, and create a harmonious working relationship with authorities of the command, added;
“While the police officers were in the community, a suspected drug dealer named Ama Uwa mobilised the youths to attack them and claimed that they were suspected kidnappers.
“The police personnel decided to use a private car to go for surveillance in the area to enable them to get hold of miscreants that were tormenting residents of the community” he said.
Punch reported that the Police PROemphasised that the Command had commenced full investigation of the incident, to ensure the arrest of 11 remaining suspects involved in the matter.
He said, “Suspects arrested are Mba Onuwa (30 years), Daniel Ama (24), Nnana Ochim (28), Okorie Mba (22), Orji Kalu (20), Alum Ogbonnaya (22), Eze Ukpai (40 ), Eme Anya (40 ), among others.
