Police probe clash with court bailiffs in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has commenced an investigation into a confrontation between some of its officers and court bailiffs during the enforcement of a court order.

The incident, involving police operatives attached to B Division, was captured in a video that has gone viral on social media, generating reactions from members of the public.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the police had begun assessing the incident to establish the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.

Ikenga said the video circulating online captured only part of the incident and could not provide the full context or events leading up to the encounter.

He said preliminary findings indicated that the officers were responding to a distress call over the presence of unidentified persons and an alleged disturbance at a premises within the division’s jurisdiction.

The statement read, “The Anambra State Police Command is aware of a video currently circulating on social media concerning an encounter between a Court Bailiff and Police Operatives attached to B Division, in connection with the enforcement of a court order.

“The Command notes that the circulating video captures only part of the incident and does not, in itself, provide the full circumstances or events preceding the encounter. The Command has therefore commenced an assessment of the incident with a view to establishing the facts.

“Preliminary information indicates that the Police Operatives were responding to a distress call concerning the presence of unidentified persons and a reported disturbance at a premises within the jurisdiction of the Division.

“Upon arrival at the scene, the Operatives met some individuals engaged in the eviction of persons and removal of properties from the premises. In the course of establishing the identities of the persons involved and the purpose of their activities, the officers approached them and requested appropriate identification. During the interaction, there was a disagreement between the Police Operatives and some of the persons present. The persons subsequently identified themselves as Court Bailiffs carrying out an enforcement exercise pursuant to a court order.”

According to Ikenga, preliminary information available to the command also indicated that the police division had not been approached for security assistance before the enforcement exercise commenced.

He said the officers, after being informed that the individuals were court bailiffs acting under a court order, advised them on the proper procedure for requesting police security during such exercises before withdrawing from the scene.

Ikenga reiterated the command’s respect for the authority and independence of the judiciary, stressing its readiness to provide lawful security support for the enforcement of valid court orders when such assistance was properly requested and required.

He added that the command was committed to ensuring that enforcement exercises were carried out peacefully and in accordance with the law.

“The Command has nevertheless taken note of the concerns arising from the incident and has engaged the relevant parties as part of efforts to establish the complete facts and ensure that the matter is handled professionally, impartially and in accordance with the law.

“The Command therefore urges members of the public to exercise restraint and avoid reaching conclusions based solely on isolated video clips circulating on social media, particularly where such footage does not capture the complete circumstances surrounding an incident.

“The Command will communicate further developments as necessary upon conclusion of the ongoing assessment,” the statement added.