By PAMELA EBOH Awka

The Anambra State Police Command on Tuesday dismissed as mischievous reports describing Umunze, Orumba South Local Govt Area as Headquarters of Eastern Security Network (ESN).

The Command in a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga to debunk claims of a kidnapped victim that members of ESNhave unfettered freedom in Umunze said:

“The attention of the Anambra State Police Command has been drawn to a story making the rounds on social media claiming that Umunze in Orumba South LGA is the Headquarters of ESN and that the Police regard the town as a “No-Go-Area.

He recalled that the Police-led “Forward Operating Base” in Aguata just last month smashed the insurgents’ camp at Ogbunka near Umunze, rescuing three kidnapped victims including a priest, and recovering nine stolen vehicles and three pump Action Guns and arresting three of the criminals.

According to him, with such feat, Umunze cannot be described as an ESN enclave or a no-go area.

He added, “The Police are aware of insurgent activities to the south of Umunze in a neighboring State and a collaborative effort is ongoing to root them out of the place.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye has assured the good people of the state that their safety remains the most important priority of the Police Command and this is permanent.

“While sympathizing with the kidnap victim who was allegedly held for four days in the area, it is important to let the public know that the claims attributed to the man are false and baseless.”