The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Nnanna Ama, has ordered the issuance of queries to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of 3-3 Police Station and a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) over the alleged disappearance of an armed robbery suspect from the station.

Ama also directed the immediate commencement of disciplinary proceedings against an Inspector of Police in connection with the incident.

The Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, saying the directives followed a viral video alleging that a suspect arrested for armed robbery and brought to the station could no longer be accounted for.

The commissioner gave the directives on Monday after personally interviewing the complainant and police officers involved in the matter.

Ama described the allegation as serious and capable of undermining public confidence in the Police, stressing that the Command would not tolerate unprofessional conduct, dereliction of duty, abuse of office or compromise of established procedures.

He consequently directed the Command’s X-Squad to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s arrest, detention and documentation, as well as his subsequent whereabouts.

The investigation will also establish the roles and responsibilities of the officers involved in handling the suspect.

The commissioner disclosed that operational measures had been put in place to facilitate the arrest of the suspect, while assuring the public that the outcome of the investigation would be communicated once the facts had been established.

He cautioned members of the public against circulating unverified information capable of prejudicing the ongoing investigation, stressing that the circumstances must be established through due process.

Ama reiterated that accountability remained a core component of his leadership philosophy and that no police officer was above scrutiny or the established disciplinary process.

The Anambra Police Command said it remained committed to professional policing and would take appropriate action against any personnel found culpable after the investigation.