Some persons impersonating as members of a local security outfit, Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG) have been arrested.
The development was conveyed to journalists in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of AVG, Mr Nweke Nweke, who added that the suspects were nabbed in Onitsha.
Nweke said the fake operations of AVG are now being interrogated on the source of their arms.
Weeks back, the PRO told newsmen that some pump-action-rifle-wielding men were impersonating the security outfit and carrying out nefarious acts in their name.
Commenting on the latest development, Nweke said, “There has been news on social media on the arrest of people wielding pump action guns in Onitsha, Anambra State a few days ago, alongside some staff of the State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS).
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“The impersonators posed as the personnel of the AVG, causing the AIRS to engage their services. Luck ran against them when members of the tricycles union in Onitsha who have been the victims of the impersonators apprehended them and handed them over to the AIRS Director of Operations team, headed by Dr. Christian Madubuko.”
He dismissed the arrested operatives as fake, saying there were currently being interrogated by the Department of State Services, DSS.
“If they are real, why didn’t they contact our office when they were apprehended. But because they knew they are fake, they resort to making their way to the press, aimed at causing disaffection between the AVG, the general public, and as well, the State government,” he added.
He called on the members of the public to discard the media reports aimed at tarnishing the AVG’s image. The local security urged members of the public to report anyone working to discredit the group to their office or the nearest police station for prompt action.
The group urged the DSS to thoroughly interrogate the impersonators and arraign them in court, as this would serve as a deterrent to others.