Re: Plight of Nigeria’s many Ochanyas…
The attention of the Anambra State Police Command has been drawn to a publication in page 24 of yesterday’s Daily Trust Newspaper with the caption, “Plight of Nigeria’s many Ochanyas, alarm over rising number of children being raped”. The paper while analysing rising number of children who are victims of rape cited a case of […]
The late Elizabeth Ochanya Ogbaje
The attention of the Anambra State Police Command has been drawn to a publication in page 24 of yesterday’s Daily Trust Newspaper with the caption, “Plight of Nigeria’s many Ochanyas, alarm over rising number of children being raped”. The paper while analysing rising number of children who are victims of rape cited a case of one ex-CPL Barau Garba who allegedly abducted and raped a 14 years old girl in Onitsha between October 9th and 14th 2017 and that the case had died.
In order to set the record straight and clear ambiguity associated with such publication, the Command considers it necessary to abreast the public of the real facts in issue. On October 30, 2017 at about 1300hrs, one Lawal Imam (male) of Cash Point, Hausa Quarters in Asaba, Delta State reported that on October 14, 2017 one F/NO 275601 CPL Bara’u Garba attached to Mopol 7 PMF Sokoto while on special duty at Okpoko in Anambra State abducted his daughter (name withheld) aged 14 years, confined her in a secluded area at Okpoko in Onitsha and allegedly had unlawful carnal knowledge with her severally for six consecutive days from October 14, 2017 to October 20, 2017.
Upon receipt of the case, the suspect CPL Bara’u Garba was traced, arrested and tried in Orderly room for discreditable conduct and neglect of duty contrary to paragraph E (iii) and N (i) Reg 370 Police Act and Regulations. He was found guilty and dismissed from the Force and subsequently charged to Chief Magistrate Court II Ogbauru since November 2017 and the case is still pending in that Court.
The Command and the media will continue to be veritable partners in ensuring that justice prevails in the society. However, media practitioners are implored to always crosscheck their facts before publication in order not to mislead the public with unverified facts, please.
SP Haruna Mohammed, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Anambra State Police Command, for Commissioner of Police Anambra State Command.