The Anambra State Police Command has invited human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu, to provide more information regarding his social media claim that five persons went missing while transiting through the State.
In a statement issued on Friday, May 23, 2025, by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the police expressed concern over what they described as a serious allegation and the uncertainty surrounding its authenticity.
“The Anambra State Police Command expresses concern about an incident of this magnitude that purportedly happened in Anambra. The said Harrison Gwamnishu had earlier posted the incident involving five missing persons on transit in Anambra while seeking for accommodation,” the statement read.
According to the Command, no individual has come forward to confirm the incident or identify the alleged victims.
“However, the Command invites the publisher, Mr. Harrison Gwamnishu, to provide information on the circumstances surrounding the incident,” it added.
The police noted that while they initially refrained from engaging the publisher in public exchanges, a press release was issued on May 22, 2025, inviting anyone with useful information—including relatives of the alleged victims—to visit the Command for proper investigation.
Responding to the police statement on Facebook, Gwamnishu reportedly commented: “Thank you. They are strangers and the family are on their way to the East. They will report today so your office can assist.”
However, the police say that despite the assurance, all efforts to reach Gwamnishu or meet with the alleged victims’ relatives have so far yielded no results.
“This disturbing news has made some of our followers fault the efforts of the Police and other security agencies on the relative calm and enhanced safety that the State has been experiencing,” SP Ikenga stated.
He added that the viral report has also cast a shadow on public cooperation with security agencies, which has been key in maintaining peace in Anambra.
“It has brought reproach on the enthusiasm and commitment of Ndi Anambra to collaborate with the security agencies to fish out the bad eggs in the State,” he said.
Despite the setback, the police assured residents that it remains committed to ensuring security across the state.
“The Command shall, nevertheless, continue to explore strategies and remains committed to consolidating on the gains in crime prevention, restoration of law and order, and improving on the safety and security of lives in the State,” the statement concluded.
