By DESMOND EJIBAS

The Police Command in Rivers has denied reports that it released three officers accused of kidnapping and extorting 3,000 dollars from two victims in Rivers.

The Spokesperson for the command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, clarified the issue in a statement released in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

“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),” the statement read.

She 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.

“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 Insp. 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,” she added.

Iringe-Koko stressed that the officers had recently taken part in an identification parade at the SCID on Feb. 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.

The statement quoted the State’s Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu of condemining fake news and emphasising the virtue of responsible journalism.

It also quoted him 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. (NAN)

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