80-year-old widow laments police arrests in Awka

An 80-year-old woman, Mrs Agnes Atumba, has cried out over indiscriminate arrests being made by the police in Ubaru Igbariam, a community in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Atumba was the only adult our correspondent saw during a visit to the community on Friday.

It was learnt that other adults had deserted the community following indiscriminate police arrests over a communal land dispute.

Speaking with our correspondent amidst tears, she said her house was attacked by some unidentified hoodlums on Thursday night.

The woman said the hoodlums were working for some land speculators and chieftains in the community.

She said, “About six boys invaded my house at about 2am and ordered us out of the house. I didn’t know their reason. I am over 80 years old now; I had not seen something like this before in my life.

“They said they were looking for my son, Lambert.  I told them that my son was not at home. They ransacked everywhere in my house and took away the sum of N200,000 my children gave me for feeding and medication.

“After that, they came out and destroyed my windows and doors.  I am in pains.

“The worst of it is that the police came here and arrested innocent persons. I am alone here. All my children have deserted me because of fear of arrest by the police. I learnt the police took those arrested to Abuja.”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Haruna Mohammed, said he was not aware of the matter.