We Dispersed Miscreants, Thieves Not Protesters -Rivers Police
Edith CHUKU
The Rivers State Police command has described as false, unfounded and baseless, reports that police officers fired teargas on unarmed protesters in an attempt to disperse them.
They said those who were dispersed at the CFC flyover on Monday by police officers, were miscreants, thieves and not protesters.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-koko, stated this while refuting reports that the organisers and supporters of the ‘Take-It-Back Movement’ in the state were fired teargas by police officers during a peaceful demonstration against bad government policies.
Irinke-Koko debunked the incident on Monday, shortly after the pandemonium that struck when the protesting members of the Civil Society Organisations and Niger Delta Congress approached CFC from Isaac Boro Park on a protest.
She insisted that the police did not fire teargas on protesters around Abali Park and the Federal Secretariat Complex, Aba Road.
In her statement, the PPRO narrated that, “upon receiving intelligence regarding the protest, our officers were promptly deployed to the specified locations.
“On arrival, a group of miscreants was observed engaging in criminal acts, including the theft of mobile phones and other valuables from unsuspecting members of the public.
“Our operatives responded swiftly, dispersing the individuals. This baseless story appears to be a deliberate fabrication by mischief makers seeking to incite public anxiety and create unnecessary tension within the state.”
Irinke-Koko further urged members of the public to, “disregard such unfounded claims and remain assured of their safety.”
The PPRO reiterated that, “the Rivers State Police Command strongly condemns this act of misinformation and warns individuals or groups behind the spread of such falsehoods to desist immediately.
“Disseminating unverified and misleading information poses a serious threat to public peace and security.”
She also reaffirmed what she described as the command “unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property across Rivers State in a professional, lawful, and community-friendly manner.
“Members of the public are encouraged to reach out to the Police through our dedicated contact lines to lodge complaints or report any suspicious activity or conduct.”
