Anambra State Government and the state’s Police Command have debunked reports that the disbanded Bakassi Boys have returned to the state.
The Commissioner of Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Adinuba, acknowledged that Awka community actually put a security arrangement in place to curb cult activities but that they were not Bakassi boys.
Adinuba said, “There is nothing like Bakassi Boys in Anambra State. The true position is that the Awka community put up a vigilance group against cultists that terrorizing the place for a long time.
“Because of the attacks on security operatives recently, some communities are now making private arrangements to secure themselves. So, that is what the Awka community did, but not with the Bakassi Boys.”
While the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, insisted that the command had no knowledge of the presence of the outfit in the state.
Reports had emerged on Monday claiming the dreaded vigilante group returned to some parts of Anambra state and that they were seen in vans, singing and warning criminals.
A source, who spoke to journalists, said, “The boys came mainly for alleged cult groups which have taken over Awka town in recent time without any response from the Police. I think they were invited by traders.”