Four people have been arrested by men of Anambra State Police Command for alleged impersonation of officials of the Ministry of Health and for distributing COVID-19 products to unsuspecting members of the public in Onitsha, Anambra state.
This was disclosed by the Police Public Relations in the state, Haruna Mohammed on Thursday.
Mohammed said the suspects were arrested with several surgical masks, hand sanitizers against deadly Coronavirus produced locally under unhygienic conditions.
He said the syndicates were apprehended by police operatives attached to Central Police Station Onitsha following intelligence report.
He gave their names as Anthony Chidubem Oyatubo (30) of Nimo, Njikoka LGA, Nwachukwu Chidi (31) of Awka, Chris C.Okeke (30) and Olisa Moura (25) of Onitsha.
He said, “Suspects who allegedly claimed to be officials of the Ministry of Health, fully kitted with reflective jackets and caps with inscriptions “FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19” were arrested with flyers, hand sanitizers and face masks which they produced locally under unhygienic conditions and selling the products to the unsuspecting members of the public as well as distributing same to various outlets in Onitsha before their arrests.
“Meanwhile, preliminary investigation revealed that suspects were neither government workers nor health officials as they claimed but misguided elements who took advantage of the present pandemic situation to market their unhygienic products to the oblivious buyers.
“Exhibits recovered in their possessions includes, three cartons of hand sanitizers, flyers, several reflective jackets, four caps and over fifty nose masks.”
Mohammed said the suspects would be charged after investigation were concluded.
“The Commissioner of Police, John Abang once again enjoined the public to be wary of such syndicates and refrain from patronising them in order not to expose themselves to other health hazards,” he added.
