The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of its officer over the alleged death of a three month old baby at Okija, in Ihiala local government area of the state.

A statement by the Police which failed to give details of the incident, however, regretted the incident that caused the death of the baby.

The statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the Command has commenced a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident to ascertain the facts and ensure that justice is served.

He conveyed the sympathies of the State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu over the unfortunate development to the family of the deceased child and assured the public that the Command would remain transparent and professional in handling the matter.

He said the Officer involved is currently undergoing interrogation and other administrative procedures in line with the Nigeria Police Force disciplinary processes.

“The Command urges members of the public to remain calm and avoid actions capable of inciting tension, while assuring that no individual found culpable will be shielded from justice”, he added, while promising to communicate further developments.

Meanwhile, Operatives of the state Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) at the weekend arrested 17 (seventeen) male suspects allegedly linked to cult-related activities and other acts considered contrary to public morality at an identified hideout in Awka, the state capital.

Items recovered from the suspects include some dried leaves suspected to be Cannabis Sativa, containers of petroleum jelly, condoms, and other exhibits considered relevant to an ongoing investigation.

Ikenga in a statement named the suspects as Okeke Ugochukwu, (28 years); Okoro Christian (17); Goodluck Michael, (25); Amuche Michael, (24); Ojukwu Divine, (26); Ikechukwu Chimeremeze, (20); Obinna Ike, (30); Nnamdi Desmond, (28); Odibendi, (20); Emmanuel Onyema, (26); Omalico Eric, (23); Duru Ifeanyi, (23); Diamond Zikora, (26); Charles Chukwuma, (28); Ikem Vincent, (20); Okeke Chibuzo, (23); and Izunna Okoye, (24 years)

The statement said that preliminary interrogation of the suspects allegedly revealed their affiliation with the Vikings Confraternity, also known as “Bagger”.

He said investigation is also extending to allegations of unlawful and immoral activities reportedly carried out at the location.

Ikenga reiterated the Commissioner of Police ‘s commitment to stamp out cultism, drug abuse, and all forms of criminality or acts capable of undermining public peace and societal values in the State.

He added that the Command has commenced a full-scale investigation into the matter to ascertain the extent of the involvement of the suspects in cult-related activities and other possible criminal offences.