Anambra Govt To Prosecute Homeland Security Operatives For Manhandling Suspected Tout

The Anambra State government says it will fish out and penalize the members of the State Anti Touting Squad (SASA) who were seen in a viral video arresting and manhandling one Wilfred Ezike for offense he committed.

The Commissioner for Homeland Security, Mr Chikodi Anarah who stated this in an official statement he released on Wednesday said though the victim in question is an unrepentant ex-convict whose persistent criminal enterprise has made some law-abiding people miserable, the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, still believes that he is entitled to the due process of the laws.

He disclosed that though there was widespread jubilation among Onitsha traders and tricycle operators when they heard about his arrest, the SASA should follow the law in dealing with the suspect.

According to Anarah, “This is a government that fiercely believes in the rule of law. Though it is resolute in eradicating touting, this must be done within the confines of the law of the land. No government law enforcement agent has the right to take the laws into his/her hands.

“I have been alerted to a viral video on the arrest and manhandling of one Wilfred Ezike, also known as Mgbiligba by SASA operatives. I really feel bad that an incident of that nature took place. I have felt bad all through the day since somebody posted the video to me.

“It is true that some people are unrepentantly committed to various criminalities on the basis of which innocent citizens remain in miserable conditions running their legitimate day to day life, but we must handle human beings according to prescriptions of the law, no matter their offence. Our governmentt is law abiding, and that is why we must fish out the SASA operatives involved in the incident under reference and punish them accordingly.

“It is also true that we are resolute to stamp out but that must happen within confines of the laws of the land. Interestingly, people have been commenting and reacting. This shows life in an organised democracy.

“Some of them allege various levels of atrocities committed by Wilfred Ezike for which he ought to have been more severely manhandled and brought to book while counter narratives insist that he should not be manhandled at all. For me, and the Government of Anambra State, nothing justifies brutality, and that is why we will punish the erring operatives.”