The Abia State Police Command says it is tracking community youths allegedly involved in an attempted attack on officers and police facilities in Akwete, while also clarifying a viral video circulating on social media said to show misconduct and misuse of firearms by officers, according to The PUNCH report.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the command said the claims in the viral video are false and do not reflect the true circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to the police, operatives of the Akwete Divisional Headquarters had acted on intelligence to arrest one Chidi Stanley of Obiohuru, Akwete, over a domestic incident that later led to the death of his eight-year-old daughter. The suspect allegedly threw a stone during an altercation with his sister, which struck the child, who was later confirmed dead at a hospital.
The command said the family allegedly failed to report the death to the police and attempted to proceed with burial arrangements without notifying authorities. Police officers later visited the scene, documented the situation including a dug grave, and requested access to the body, but were resisted by some family members and youths in the community.
“The family, supported by some youths of the community, resisted police intervention and denied access, creating a tense and potentially violent situation,” the statement said.
Following the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation, some youths became agitated and attempted to attack officers and the police station, despite appeals for calm.
“Officers were compelled to defend themselves, protect police property, and prevent further breakdown of law and order,” the statement added.
The Commissioner of Police warned against attacks on officers carrying out lawful duties, insisting that efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend those involved in the attempted attack. He urged residents to cooperate with the police in crime prevention rather than obstruct investigations or engage in violence, while advising the public to disregard misinformation and unverified reports circulating on social media.
