An open letter to the IGP of police by Mmaku Newsmasters; how police charge N20-30,000 on bail

I wish to use this medium to appeal to the Nigeria police force to come to the aid of Mmaku community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu state.

Some officers of the Nigeria police force from State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Enugu came to arrest a catholic priest, Fr. James Ani at his residence in Mmaku Catholic church and were mistaken for kidnappers. Consequently, they were attacked by the parish youth.

The officers who were said to be led by one inspector Cosmos re-enforced to invade the village and began to arrest people indiscriminately, as a result, many natives of the said village who are not even catholics or have anything to do with the matter in question were arrested.

Back in the station, people who could afford N20-30,000 were released while those that could not afford the payment were charged to court. Most of them were accused of armed robbery and kidnapping and hence remanded in prisons custody without further trial for over one month now.

The officers of SCID Enugu made this charge as a holding charge just to punish these innocent villagers, mainly because they were unable to raise the ransom for their release. The police later referred the case to DPP.

Sir, sequel to this development, we the people of Mmaku seek your urgent intervention on this issue as the officers from SCID has continued to invade Mmaku village to arrest people who are not part of this case and send to court.

Mmaku is a law abiding community and will be willing to cooperate with the police to fish out those indicted in the issue and stop indiscriminate arrest and incarceration of the innocent. We are counting on your good will to wade into this matter and possibly help us secure the release of our innocent sons who were wrongly arrested.

Thanks in anticipation of your prompt intervention.