2nd February, 2024
By Taiwo Okanlawon
Police in Rivers on Friday refuted claims by a Delta State House of Assembly candidate, Harrison Gwamnishu, alleging that three officers of the Rivers State Police Command arrested for kidnapping a man are walking freely.
The officers, ASP Doubara Edonyabo, ASP Talent Mungo, and Inspector Odey Michael, had kidnapped the man in Aba, Abia State, took him to Bayelsa State and later Ughelli in Delta State where they allegedly took the 3000USDT equivalent of N 4,200,000.00 from him, a police statement revealed.
Following their arrest, the command disclosed that an investigation into the incident had begun while the money collected had been returned to the victims on January 18.
However, Gwamnishu who raised the initial alarm, stated in an X post on Friday that the erring officers were still ‘walking freely’ and wouldn’t be dismissed because they are senior officers.
Reacting to the claims, the command in a statement by SP Grace Iringe-Koko, ANIPR Police PRO stated that the allegation is false, malicious, and misleading.
According to her, the officers in question, are currently in detention at the Rivers State Criminal Investigation Department and are undergoing the standard disciplinary process of the Police.
The command also urge the public to disregard the publication, “as we will provide updates on the outcome of the disciplinary committee in due course.”
Read the statement in full.
The attention of the Rivers State Police Command has been drawn to a viral publication circulating on social media and online platforms. The publication alleges that three officers of the command, who were arrested for abducting and extorting two young men, are walking freely without facing prosecution. This information was based on a post on X (formerly Twitter) by Delta State House of Assembly Labour Party candidate Harrison Gwamnishu.
We wish to categorically state that the allegation is false, malicious, and misleading. The officers in question, namely ASP Doubara Edonyabo, ASP Talent Mungo, and Inspector Odey Michael, are currently in detention at the Rivers State Criminal Investigation Department and are undergoing the standard disciplinary process of the Police.
Furthermore, the accused officers participated in an identification parade held at the State Criminal Investigation Department on February 2, 2024, in connection with another complaint against them.
We urge the general public to disregard the publication, as we will provide updates on the outcome of the disciplinary committee in due course.
The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, CP Olatunji Disu strongly condemns false reporting and emphasizes the need for responsible journalism. He calls on media organizations and personnel to act professionally and provide accurate information, as the public relies on them for factual news.
It is important to note that the person who tweeted, as expected of a reasonable reporter, failed to obtain the reaction of the Police Public Relations Officer. The Commissioner of Police demands responsible reportage to ensure the public is not misled.
We appreciate your cooperation in disseminating this corrected information to the public.
SP GRACE IRINGE-KOKO ANIPR
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
RIVERS STATE POLICE COMMAND
: FOR THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, RIVERS STATE