Police Raid Commissioner’s Residence Over Missing Machines

Some police officers from Zone 9 Command, Umuahia, on Monday raided the residence of Chief Anthony Agbazuere, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Abia.

The policemen led by a deputy commissioner, Mr John Onyeacholam, were allegedly in search of missing INEC Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines.

Two police orderlies attached to Agbazuere were allegedly disarmed on the orders of the deputy commissioner.

Briefing newsmen on the incident, Agbazuere said he suspected foul play as he had no intention of hijacking any material belonging to INEC.

“I was really embarrassed by the attitude of the police officers who even jumped my fence and created unusual scene in my street and treated me as if I am a thief,” he said.

Agbazuere wondered how he could be accused of hijacking the machines “even when I am in the forefront of the crusade for a credible election in the state.

“As things are now, my life is no longer safe because I suspect that some faceless individuals are after me, but they will not succeed.

“Those who are behind this will not go unpunished and I am ready to stake my life in fighting for a just cause as no one can intimidate me,” he said.

Agbazuere said he would leave no stone unturned in unravelling those behind the false accusation.

He appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Hafiz Ringim, to initiate a comprehensive probe of the allegation with a view to bringing the culprits to book.

However, Onyeacholam said the police acted on a tip-off following allegations of theft of DDC machines.

He said the police were trying to prevent politicians from hijacking the machines for use during the April general elections.