The Anambra State Police Command has issued a strong warning to residents over a rising trend of online incitement by individuals who do not reside in the state but use social media platforms to provoke unrest and turn the public against government and security institutions.
In a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the police alerted Ndi Anambra to be vigilant and not fall for narratives from individuals disguising as human rights activists, who aim to instigate disaffection against government agencies, including the Police and other security operatives.
The warning follows a viral video by one Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as *Verydarkman*, in which he threatened to lead a protest against the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) over a recent enforcement operation in Anambra’s Open Drug Market. The Police clarified that NAFDAC’s action was in compliance with Federal Government directives to remove unregistered, expired, and substandard drugs from major drug markets across the country, including Anambra.
The Command further disclosed that upon engaging with the leadership of the affected market, it was revealed that some individuals within the market allegedly instigated Mr. Otse’s actions. However, market leaders distanced themselves from the protest plans and pledged to work with relevant authorities to identify defaulters within their ranks.
In a related development, the Command also referenced another trending video by Mr. Harrison Gwamnishu, who is yet to honour an invitation by the Command over a case involving five persons allegedly missing while in transit through Anambra State. In the new video, Mr. Gwamnishu claimed to expose an illegal detention facility in the state. The Police, however, explained that the issue was not new and had already been addressed, noting that security operatives involved had been cautioned for professional misconduct and measures have since been put in place to prevent a recurrence.
The Command expressed concern over the deliberate refusal of both Mr. Otse and Mr. Gwamnishu to explore proper channels to address their grievances, such as contacting the Commissioner of Police or the Command’s PPRO. Instead, their activities appear aimed at undermining the efforts of security agencies and disrupting the relative peace enjoyed in the state.
According to the Command, intelligence reports suggest that their planned protest could be hijacked by criminal elements, posing a threat to public peace. Consequently, the Police have vowed to maintain law and order and ensure that no group or individual is allowed to infringe upon the rights of others under the guise of activism.
“The Command remains resolute in protecting the rights of all citizens, particularly the right to freedom of movement and human dignity,” the statement concluded.