By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Anambra State Police Command has debunked a report by The PUNCH alleging that the state witnessed a total of 14 political assassinations between 2022 and 2024.

A statement issued on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, by the state Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, described the publication as misleading, false and unfounded. It dismissed the claim as a product of the writer’s imagination.

The statement issued on behalf of CP Orutugu by the Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, reads in part: “The Command ordinarily would not have dignified such baseless allegations with a response, but clarifying the matter became necessary to safeguard public confidence, sustain the relative peace being enjoyed across Anambra State, and correct the wrong impression the publication may have created.”

While acknowledging that Anambra, like other states in the country, has recorded isolated security incidents in the past, it stressed that none of those incidents amounted to politically motivated killings. Rather, they were criminal attacks often perpetrated by non-state actors, including self-styled agitators and other elements described as common enemies of the State

The Police Spokesman further noted that security agencies have consistently confronted and dismantled such groups, resulting in a significant reduction of violent crimes in recent times.

He pointed out that Anambra remains one of the most peaceful states in the South-East, contrary to the false picture painted by the Punch publication.

It observed that the claim was mischievous and malicious, saying that the state recorded a peaceful bye-elections for the Anambra South Senatorial seat and the State House of Assembly peacefully and successfully in some of those red flag areas without violence few weeks ago.

The Command urged the public to disregard the report saying that the Command, in collaboration with sister security agencies, has remained proactive and relentless in addressing such threats, adding: “Our operations have significantly reduced violent crimes across the State and Anambra remains one of the most peaceful states in the South-East.”

CP Orutugu while reassuring Anambra residents reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the State.

He emphasized that the Police, working in collaboration with sister security agencies, will continue to maintain a proactive posture against any threat to peace and security.

The CP further appealed to media practitioners to avoid sensational publications capable of generating fear or distorting the true security situation in the state.

He further urged journalists to verify facts and support security agencies in their efforts to keep Anambra safe.

The Command admonished residents to continue partnering with the Police by providing credible and timely information to aid in the fight against crime, even as it assured them that the false claims of political assassinations have no basis.