By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has denied reports alleging that it arrested the sister of a wanted suspect because of her relationship with him and also demanded ₦600,000 for her release.
The Command, in a statement issued on Monday by its Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, described the allegation as misleading, explaining that the woman, identified as Nwosu Chikamso Jennifer, was solely arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into cult-related killings in Awka.
The statement followed a Sunday publication by Sahara Reporters, based on a letter reportedly written by the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) and signed by its Executive Director, Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma.
The publication alleged that Jennifer was arrested on August 31, 2026, not over any offence allegedly committed by her, but because of her relationship with her brother, Nwosu Kenechukwu, who was reportedly wanted in connection with an alleged murder case.
It further alleged that ₦600,000 was demanded as a condition for her release.
However, the Police Command, while debunking the claims and setting the record straight, said its investigation established that Kenechukwu had emerged as a person of interest in investigations into several cult-related killings in Awka.
According to the Command, investigations indicate that Jennifer became aware of efforts by police operatives to apprehend the suspect (her brother) and allegedly assisted him in evading arrest.
The Police consequently maintained that her arrest was part of a criminal investigation into her alleged conduct and was not simply because she was the sister of the suspect.
The Command also clearly refuted the allegation of extortion, insisting that neither ₦600,000 nor any other amount was demanded from Jennifer as a condition for her release.
It said Jennifer was subsequently granted bail in accordance with established Police procedures after undertaking to cooperate with investigators and assist in efforts to locate her brother, who remains a person of interest in the ongoing investigation.
The Police, however, said its commitment to due process and the protection of citizens’ rights did not prevent it from taking lawful investigative measures against anyone reasonably suspected of helping a wanted person evade arrest or interfering with a criminal investigation.
The Command’s clarification also draws attention to the manner in which sensitive allegations concerning ongoing criminal investigations are sometimes brought into the public domain before the concerned law enforcement agency is contacted for its side of the story.
In this particular case, rather than first getting clarification from the Police Command on the circumstances surrounding Jennifer’s arrest and the alleged ₦600,000 demand, RULAAC’s one-sided position was reportedly relied upon for a publication that not only presented serious allegations against the Police, but can also jeopardize efforts or affect the progress of the ongoing investigations into such sensitive matter of cult-related killings.
For an organisation that campaigns for the rule of law and accountability, such as RULAAC, the Police Command’s response also points to the importance of the same principles of fair hearing, verification and due process in dealing with sensitive allegations. Advocacy, particularly on matters involving alleged human-rights violations, carries with it a responsibility to establish the facts as thoroughly as possible before publicly advancing conclusions that could prejudice an ongoing investigation.
The Police therefore urged media organisations, civil society organisations and members of the public to exercise greater diligence in verifying sensitive allegations with the appropriate authorities before publication, especially where such claims have the potential to mislead the public, damage confidence in law enforcement or compromise an ongoing criminal investigation.
The Command said its attention remained focused on unraveling the circumstances surrounding the cult-related killings under investigation and identifying anyone found to have played a role in them.
The Command, under CP Nnanna Oji Ama, reiterated its commitment to professional, accountable and intelligence-driven policing, assuring that it would continue to discharge its constitutional responsibilities in accordance with the law.
Recall that two men were killed at different locations in Awka, the capital of Anambra State, on Sunday, August 30, 2026.
The victims were popular Awka-based comedian, master of ceremonies and media personality, Isaac Nwosu, popularly known as Aiza Nwosu, who was shot along S.M. Okeke Street in the Amaikwo area; and another unidentified man, who was killed in a separate shooting along Capital City Road, Amaenyi, the same day.
The Police had said preliminary information indicated that three unidentified persons travelling in a silver-coloured Toyota Corolla were responsible for the attacks and had launched a manhunt for the perpetrators.
Although some eyewitnesses and residents had suggested a possible cult-related motive for the killings, the Police had not publicly confirmed such a motive at the time of the initial investigation.
It was, however, gathered in confidence that the August 30 killings are not unconnected with the said investigations being carried out by the Police, which established that Kenechukwu Nwosu had emerged as a person of interest in the incident and was allegedly assisted to evade arrest by her sister, Jennifer Nwosu, which resulted in her own arrest by the police.
