Police begin autopsy on 18 recovered corpses in Anambra

THE Anambra State Police Command Monday announced the commencement of autopsy on the 18 corpses recovered from Ezu River in Amansea, Anambra State, on Sunday.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ballah Nasarawa, disclosed this to journalists during the launch of the Code of Conduct for officers and men of the Anambra State Police Command at the Police Headquarters yesterday.

“Tomorrow (today), police pathologists from Benin and government doctors in Anambra State will commence work on the autopsy.

“Investigation reveals that all the corpses are male adults, no females and children. It was also discovered that there were no gunshot injuries or any marks of violence found on the corpses,” he said.

The police boss also used the opportunity to refute the rumour making the rounds that 30 or 50 corpses were recovered, insisting that only 18 corpses were picked up from the river.

According to him, the state Commissioner for Health, who witnessed the evacuation of the corpses from the river on Sunday, will also be present during the exercise. “Investigation is on-going, and any further revelation will be made later to the press,” he added.

Nasarawa assured that police in Anambra would not relent until all forms of criminality are wiped out, just as he cautioned those involved in criminal activities to look for other sources of livelihood.

Speaking further on the achievements of the police, he said his men killed two armed robbers during an encounter, arrested nine armed robbers and 16 kidnappers, while six kidnap victims were rescued.

He further said that 35 assorted live ammunitions, two locally-made pistols, four magazines and 10 assorted vehicles were recovered.

According to the police chief, the Code of Conduct is aimed at providing officers and men in the command with a set of principles and standards of behaviour while on or off duty.

He added that it is expected to guide all police officers not to exceed their authority in the enforcement of the law, and to conduct themselves in accordance with the constitution and all other applicable laws.

“Indeed, the code will be regarded as an accountability manual that will be applied on all officers, irrespective of their rank.”