Anambra: Groups Defend Ex-SARS Commander, Say He ‘Chased Evans Out Of The State’

Against vociferous attacks on the excesses of former boss of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Anambra State, Mr James Nwafor, some groups in the state have come to his defence. The groups, comprising the Anambra Security Network (ASN), Nnewi Elders Forum (NEF), Awka Consultative Assembly (ACA), and Anambra Traders Union (ATU), called for the stoppage of the media trial of the retired police officer. According to them, it was the gallantry of CSP Nwafor that reduced the activities of armed robbers, kidnappers and other violent criminals while he held sway as SARS boss.

The spokesman of the group, Chief Simon Okonkwo, in a press release made available to THE WHISTLER on Tuesday, claimed that, “Most of the people condemning Nwafor lacked knowledge of the dynamics of hunting down criminals. Nwafor was instrumental to the resolution of the Aguleri-Umuleri war, which had claimed about 2,000 people before he was drafted there. When he was deployed to take charge of the crisis, he employed alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to bring a lasting peace to the warring communities.”

Among those rescued from kidnappers by the ex-SARS boss, according to the group, include Gozie Akudolu, former deputy president of Amalgamated Markets Traders of Anambra State (AMATAS), who was abducted and kept for 41 days in the kidnappers’ den. Okoronkwo added that, “At that time, Nnewi indigenes and residents were contributing N200m every month for kidnappers, but Nwafor stopped it when he dislodged them. Nwafor stopped armed robbery in Anambra State, Imo and other parts of Southeast. He chased away notorious kidnappers, like Evans, from Anambra State. He arrested Ofeakwu and rescued Dr Udokwu of Udokwu Hospital, Amaifeke, Orlu, in Imo State, who was Achike Udenwa’s chief of staff (COS).”

The secretary of the group, Chief Ozoemena Udechukwu, stated that, “It is true some SARS operatives went to the extreme, dehumanising and abusing suspects, but selective condemnation of CSP Nwafor is unwarranted and uncalled for. If you go back to the background of those who are accusing Nwafor, they have skeletons in their cupboard. This is a man who put down his life for the people of Anambra State and the entire Southeast – rescued GUO Okeke, Pokobros, and Tony Atakpo of Onitsha Drugs Market.

“It was Nwafor and his team that arrested the notorious Okey Rice and his gangs, who killed the traditional ruler of Osumogho. I think Nwafor should be commended instead of this vilification. People should leave Nwafor alone. We will do everything to defend him. He defended us at a time when nobody came to our rescue.”

Recall that CSP James Nwafor was relieved of his appointment as special adviser to the Anambra State governor on security following the recent #EndSARS protest with some people alleging that he masterminded most of the excesses of the disbanded police squad in the state.