The Rivers State Police Command has reacted to reports that it has three officers accused of kidnapping and extorting $3,000 from two victims in the state.
Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, spoke on the development in a statement issued on Saturday.
Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, said: “The attention of the Rivers State Police Command has been drawn to a viral publication circulating on social media and online platforms regarding the alleged release of the three officers.
“The report claims that three officers of the command, who were arrested for abducting and extorting two young men, are now free and have not been prosecuted.
“The information was posted on X (formerly Twitter) by Harrison Gwamnishu, the Labour Party candidate for the Delta State House of Assembly (in the 2023 general elections).”
Iringo-Koko said in the statement that contrary to the viral publication, the officers were not released and are providing useful information to address the allegations against them.
She said: “We want to state categorically that the allegation of their release is untrue, malicious, and misleading.
“The officers – ASP Doubara Edonyabo; ASP Talent Mungo; and Inspector Odey Michael – are presently detained at the Rivers State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
“The officers are currently at the SCID undergoing the standard disciplinary process of the police.”
Iringe-Koko stressed that the officers had recently taken part in an identification parade at the SCID on February 2 about a fresh complaint filed against them.
The command’s spokesperson, therefore, urged residents to ignore the publication and assured them of timely updates on the outcome of a disciplinary committee that has been instituted to investigate the matter.
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The statement quoted the State’s Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, as condemning fake news and emphasising the virtue of responsible journalism.
It also quoted Disu as calling on media organisations to uphold professionalism by delivering accurate information as the public depends on them for factual news.
“To this end, the person who tweeted should have sought a reaction from the police before publishing the report, as expected of a reasonable reporter,” Iringe-Koko stated.