Five policemen serving in Imo State Command including an armourer are currently facing investigation and interrogation over the alleged recovery of a rifle said to be that of the police in the state.
The five policemen who are languishing in the cell of the anti-kidnapping section of state police command are expected to face other statutory investigations including orderly room trial following the discovery that one of the AK-47 rifles officially issued to them for guard duties was allegedly found in the hands of suspected kidnappers fleeing during a counter-offensive battle against gun men during operation.
Trumpeta learnt that the Ambush Squad of the command recovered the weapon from fleeing kidnappers when challenged during an operation where the armed men abandoned their arms and operational vehicle when police operatives gave them a hot chase around Oguta area of the state.
The police on searching the vehicle saw the rifle and further investigations traced the AK-47 to New Owerri Police Division that subsequently led to the arrest of the armourer. Police source further disclosed that the four were officially assigned the weapons for guard duties. However, three of the policemen never reported to anybody that their colleague whose weapon was later recovered from the kidnappers was not reporting for duty. The detained policemen were said to have been posted to the residence of a retired top police officer for security purposes before the new twist and development.
Trumpeta further gathered that the Command has constituted a panel to try the detained police and more investigations to unravel circumstances surrounding the recovered arm found in possession of fleeing gunmen.
When contacted, PRRO Imo Command denied knowledge of the development but authoritative police sources gave further insight concerning the affair.
