Anambra State government on Friday said its newly inaugurated Special Anti-Touting Squad Anambra (SASA) was not involved in the mob action that claimed lives of two brothers in Onitsha, commercial city of the state.
Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu, in a statement, described reports linking government to the jungle justice as calumnious, baseless and diametrically in contrast with the modus operandi of SASA.
He said the deceased were apprehended by traders who subsequently meted out jungle justice on them before SASA personnel were alerted.
The statement reads in part, “Government has noticed that some ill-informed social media commentators have been maliciously trying to ascribe the Wednesday, 1st of November mob action at Bida Road, Onitsha which claimed the lives of two young men, to the newly inaugurated Special Anti-Touting Squad Anambra (SASA).
“These accusations can best be described as calumnious, baseless and diametrically in contrast with the modus operandi of SASA.
“On the fateful day in question, at about 1:20 pm, two persons were mobbed at Bida Road in Onitsha. The victims were identified as Monday alias Aka Odo and Ikechukwu.
“These two well-known criminals had escaped from a shanty behind Menax Hospital, Onitsha, that served as their hideout after it was earlier raided by SASA. The criminals used the hideout as a place of convergence from where they dispersed each day to commit diverse crimes and engage in violent extortion.
“While they fled, the two victims were apprehended by traders who recognized them because they had been victims of these criminals’ activities on many occasions in the past.
“Realizing that these identifiable criminals were on the run and vulnerable, the traders attacked them and subsequently meted out jungle justice on them before SASA personnel were alerted.
“It was an unfortunate situation which the SASA Unit had no hand in.
“However, information available reveals that the gang has links to a notorious criminal known as Ikanda, who is currently serving a prison term.
“Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Unit shall continue to abide by its laid down code of conduct and standard operation procedures as it remains committed to actualizing its mandate as directed by the Governor of Anambra State.
“The public is encouraged to alert SASA of touting related activities once observed. Numbers to call are: 08156352767 and 09017280990.”
