The Anambra State Commissioner of Police has reportedly queried the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the 33 Police Station in Onitsha following the alleged disappearance of an armed robbery suspect from police custody.
The development comes after armed robbers reportedly terrorised residents of GRA Flats in Onitsha, carting away laptops, mobile phones, cash and other valuables from their victims.
According to allegations surrounding the case, an estate vigilante reportedly risked his life to apprehend one of the suspects and recovered what was described as hard evidence linking him to the robbery.
The suspect was subsequently handed over to the 33 Police Station, where the case was reportedly assigned to an Investigating Police Officer (IPO), identified as Officer Chidera.
However, the handling of the case has now come under scrutiny following the alleged disappearance of the suspect from the station’s detention room.
The victims reportedly alleged that the suspect was prepared to provide information about other members of the robbery syndicate before he allegedly disappeared from custody.
There are also allegations that a ₦100,000 bribe was demanded or exchanged in connection with the handling of the case. However, the allegation has not been independently established and should be subject to investigation.
The victims were reportedly informed that the suspect had mysteriously vanished from the detention room.
The latest development has raised concerns among residents and victims of the robbery, who are demanding answers over how a suspect in police custody could allegedly disappear, particularly after reportedly being arrested with evidence linking him to the crime.
Following the development, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police has reportedly queried the DPO over the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s disappearance.
The matter has also drawn renewed attention to the conduct of the officers involved in the investigation and the need for accountability in the handling of criminal suspects.
The development comes amid growing concerns from the victims, who say they want the circumstances surrounding the robbery, the suspect’s arrest and his subsequent disappearance thoroughly investigated.
The victims are also demanding that anyone found to have compromised the investigation be held accountable.
The case remains a developing one, and further details are expected as the police investigation into the suspect’s alleged disappearance continues.
