Anambra State Government has assured Ndi Anambra that Bakassi Boys security outfit is not in Anambra State, and will not be used again in the state.
A release signed by the Anambra State Commissioner for Information & Public Enlightenment, Mr. C. Don Adinuba states that an unidentified amateur video photographer has made a video claiming that the controversial security outfit known as Bakassi Boys, which was two decades ago used in Abia and Anambra states when the two neighbouring states were almost overrun by violent criminals, is back, this time in Awka, the Anambra State capital.
The release maintained that Anambra State remains the safest state in the country, despite the eight security breaches of the past few months which received enormous publicity, adding that the people and Government of Anambra State are proud of the record of security agencies in the state which have substantially overcome the challenges of the last few months.
It has it that the section of the media that reported the purported return of the so-called Bakassi Boys, which is not backed by any law in the state, would have known better if only they had contacted any official of the Anambra State Government.
That release states that what the journalists and some members of the public innocently confused with Bakassi Boys’ return to the state is a noble effort of some Awka indigenes to fish out cultists in the community who have attempted to capitalize on the inadequate number of policemen on patrol in the town in the last few months to fight themselves with dangerous weapons which resulted in some casualties. Awka youth, appalled by the sad development in their peaceful hometown, decided to fish out the cultists from their residences and hideouts.
According to the release, no fair-minded person can mistake the AVG for the unorthodox security outfit which was outlawed several years ago, whereas Bakassi Boys used to arrest suspects, tried them within minutes and executed them in broad daylight in a most savage manner, the AVG is a modern security outfit created by law, and it neither tries nor sentences suspects, while the AVG cannot tolerate lawlessness.
It states that the AVG works in close collaboration with the traditional ruler and president general of each of the one hundred and seventy-nine communities in the state but also the Nigeria Police Force.
It advises the people of Anambra State to go about their normal business as Anambra State is peaceful and calm and there is no Bakassi Boys security outfit in Awka or any other part of the state and the existing security agencies are doing their best to protect all of us.
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