Tension at Anambra Police Command Over Arrest, Detention of Community Leader for WhatsApp Post

By Our Correspondent

There is growing tension at the Anambra State Police Command following the arrest and detention of a community leader, Mr. Chigozie Omile, over a purported reforwarding of a post in a WhatsApp group.

Omile was reportedly picked up on Tuesday evening by officers from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) at his shop in Main Market, Onitsha, over content allegedly circulated on a social media platform.

The arrest was said to have been based on a petition whose details have not been made public, and the identity of the petitioner remains unknown as of press time.

He is reportedly spending the night in police custody as officers continue investigating the source of the material in question.

When contacted, a senior police officer at the command — who requested anonymity — confirmed that the matter was before the command.

“Yes, the case is before us, but I have not seen the suspect yet. I will do that soon and ensure justice is done,” the officer said, adding, “The command stands for justice, and once the truth is established, justice will surely prevail.”

An insider within the command told reporters that a top-level meeting is currently underway at the command to ensure that the matter is handled carefully, so as not to jeopardize ongoing investigations or cause embarrassment to prominent families in the state.

It was gathered that a top government office had earlier reported Omile to the state government, a move that allegedly prompted his arrest.

Sources hinted that the issue revolves around allegations of high-level infidelity involving influential persons.

The source said Omile is a member of the Young Progressives Party, insisting that the development is believed to amount to an attempt to bully the opposition.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain an official reaction from the police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga were unsuccessful as he was said to be in a serous meeting of that command that may not be unconnected with the Omile case