IG takes over probe of Okija shrines
- To send 200 men to Anambra
From Chuks Collins (Onitsha) and Alex Olise (Lagos)
SUSPECTED priests of the Ogwugwu shrines in Anambra State being held by the police are to meet the Inspector-General (IG) of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun, in Abuja.
Balogun, now in charge of the probe of the incident, will today send 200 more officers to complete the mop-up operations and dismantling of the shrines located in Ihiala Local Council of the state.
The police chief�s personal supervision of the exercise is reportedly to allow a thorough job and prevent innocent people from being roped into the saga.
On Wednesday last week, the Anambra Police Command stormed the shrines and made several arrests. It continued with the search for more shrines last weekend and arrested additional suspects. Overall, the police are holding 39 persons suspected to be high priests of the shrines.
About 20 human skulls and 50 bodies and skeletons were found at the Okija shrines when the police, led by the state commissioner, Mr. Felix Ogbandu, invaded the forest on Wednesday last week.
The Guardian learnt that the IG's new team will arrive in Awka to take over the investigation from the state command.
The officers, to be led by a commissioner, were expected yesterday but their trip was reportedly shifted to this morning.
Although the command did not confirm or deny the IG's take-over of the probe, it claimed he (IG) allegedly waded into the matter because of the publicity it had attracted.
Since the original petition, which led to the shocking discoveries at the shrines was sent to the IG, sources said it was natural that he takes over the investigation.
The state Commander of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Mr. Gabriel Haruna, confirmed to The Guardian that nine more suspects were arrested during the Friday mop-up operations, adding that the suspects had made useful statements to the police.
Haruna, however, declined comments on whether a preliminary report has been sent to the IG or what necessitated his intervention into the matter.
He was, however, emphatic that Balogun was interested in the development.
As residents of Okija especially males fled their homes for fear of arrest, police have been keeping vigil in the neighbourhood to forestall any crisis.
A man who reportedly petitioned the IG over the shrines is said to be operating an Indian temple at Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos.
A former Commissioner for Women Affairs in Anambra State, Mrs. Bridget Obi, an indigene of Okija, said Nigerians should disregard the action of the police which portrayed the people as killers.
The IG has also directed commissioners of police in the South-East and South-South to begin search for shrines in their states.
A security report sent to Balogun revealed the existence of many shrines in Enugu, Imo, Delta, Ebonyi, Rivers, Bayelsa, Anambra, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chris Olakpe, a deputy commissioner of police (DCP), said the Force Headquarters is determined to bring the ritualists to book. "We will provide all the logistics to all the state police commands to ensure the success of the ongoing raid.
"We can raid any state not only in the East. We intend to carry out intense raids in the Eastern part of the country based on available security report," he said.
