Cynthia Ezegwu
The Zone 13 Police Command, Ukpo, Anambra State, has denied allegations that its officers assaulted a man during an operation, describing the viral social media post making the claim as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and obstruct police investigations.
The command’s reaction followed a video shared on X (formerly Twitter) by user @ChuksEricE, who alleged that policemen in Anambra “assaulted a man who was recording them while they came to make an arrest,” insisting that the case in question was still pending before a court.
In the video, five armed officers dressed in full police uniform were seen dragging a woman outside a residential building, while another officer confronted a man recording the scene. The individual behind the camera was later seen being forced into a police vehicle while refusing to surrender his phone.
However, in a statement issued on Friday by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Josephine Ihunwo, on behalf of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone 13, Abayomi Peter Oladipo, the command said the video misrepresented the facts.
According to Ihunwo, the operation was based on a petition filed by one Mr. Azubuike Okafor on November 4, 2025, alleging conspiracy, cyberbullying, criminal defamation, and threats of violence against certain individuals.
“The petition was approved for investigation and assigned to the D8 Section of the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department (ZCID) for discreet inquiry,” the statement said.
It added that detectives visited the suspects’ residence to invite them for questioning but were met with “severe resistance,” as the suspects allegedly mobilised thugs to attack the officers and record the encounter to mislead the public.
“Contrary to the false narrative, upon arrival, our officers met with severe resistance. The suspects immediately mobilised a group of thugs, assaulted the officers, and created a chaotic scene while recording videos in a deliberate attempt to evade lawful invitation and portray themselves as victims,” the statement read.
The command said the officers maintained professionalism throughout the incident and made lawful arrests with the support of the Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG).
READ ALSO: Anambra Police Arrest Four Suspects, Recover Gun, Stolen Car
“The police personnel maintained utmost professionalism and restraint. With the assistance of the AVG, the suspects—identified as Eucharia Igabor, Chinelo Igabor, Izukanne Igabor, and others—were taken into custody for questioning,” Ihunwo stated.
She noted that the suspects were interrogated under caution and released on administrative bail after being interviewed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the ZCID.
“At no point was there any violence or professional misconduct perpetrated by the police against the suspects,” the command insisted.
The police further warned social media users and influencers to verify information before publication to avoid spreading content capable of inciting public disaffection against security agencies.
The command reiterated its commitment to professionalism, transparency, and justice in the handling of all investigations.