By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Anambra State Government has refuted reports making the round that a security outfit known as Bakassi has returned to the state.

Bakassi security outfit known for its jungle justice style became popular during the administration of former governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju following increased rate of crime in the state.

Refuting the report in a statement, the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C Don Adinuba, assured Anambra people that the Bakassi Boys security outfit is not in Anambra State and will not be used again in the state.

He insisted that the state remains the safest state in the country, despite the eight security breaches of the past few months which received enormous publicity.

The statement reads in part: “An unidentified amateur video photographer has made a video claiming that the controversial security outfit known as Bakassi Boys, which was two decades ago used in Abia and Anambra states when the two neighbouring states were almost overrun by violent criminals, is back, this time in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

The video quickly went viral because of its sensational appeal. A section of even the mainstream media has publicized the video, thus giving it a veneer of credibility.

“The people and Government of Anambra State are proud of the record of security agencies in the state which have substantially overcome the challenges of the last few months.

“The fights among cultists resulted in some casualties. Awka youth, appalled by the sad development in the fights among cultists resulted in some casualties. Awka youth, appalled by the sad development in their peaceful hometown, decided to fish out the cultists from their residences and hideouts. An unidentified young amateur video photographer recorded one of the operations and can be heard in the video exuberantly screaming “Bakassi! Bakassi Boys are back in Awka!

“The hysterical announcement is far from the truth. Any person who watches the video to the end will certainly see two vans which belong to the Anambra Vigilante Group right in the scene. No fair-minded person can mistake the AVG for the unorthodox security outfit which was outlawed several years ago.

“Whereas Bakassi Boys used to arrest suspects, tried them within minutes and executed them in broad daylight in a most savage manner, the AVG is a modern security outfit created by law.

“It neither tries nor sentences suspects. A stickler for due process, the AVG cannot tolerate lawlessness. It works in close collaboration with the traditional ruler and president general of each of the 179 communities in the state but also the Nigeria Police Force. In fact, the AVG chairman is Mr Ikechukwu Aduba, a fantastic gentleman, author and historian who used to be an excellent police commissioner. “

Adinuba described the report as being far from the truth.

He said that whereas Bakassi Boys used to arrest suspects, tried them within minutes and executed them in broad daylight in a most savage manner, the AVG is a modern security outfit created by law, saying that it neither tries nor sentences suspects.

Adinuda said that AVG is a stickler for due process and cannot tolerate lawlessness.

According to him the outfit works in close collaboration with the traditional ruler and president general of each of the 179 communities in the state as well as the Nigeria Police Force.

He described the AVG chairman, Mr Ikechukwu Aduba, as a fantastic gentleman, author and historian who used to be an excellent police commissioner.

“Any person who watches the video to the end will certainly see two vans which belong to the Anambra Vigilante Group right in the scene. No fair-minded person can mistake the AVG for the unorthodox security outfit which was outlawed several years ago.

“The section of the media that reported the purported return of the so-called Bakassi Boys, which is not backed by any law in the state, would have known better if only they had contacted any official of the Anambra State

“Government, especially the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, who is well reputed for having easily the greatest open-door policy of all his peers in the country and always endeavours to promptly address the query or inquiry of every journalist,” the commissioner said.

Adinuba said the journalists and some members of the public innocently confused with Bakassi Boys’ return to the state is a noble effort of some Awka indigenes to fish out cultists in the community who have attempted to capitalize on the inadequate number of policemen on patrol in the town in the last few months to fight themselves with dangerous weapons.

He called on the people of Anambra State to go about their normal business adding that Anambra State is peaceful and calm without the presence of Bakassi Boys security outfit or any other part of the state, noting that the existing security agencies are doing their best to protect all residents of the state.

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