Delta State police authorities have refuted claims that they attacked protesting women in Ughelli, Delta State on Monday.
This response followed reports alleging that police fired at women from Oteri-Ughelli in the Ughelli North Local Government Area who were demonstrating against what they claim is ongoing harassment and extortion by local police. These reports suggested that a middle-aged woman was shot and several others were injured during the protest as Delta State Police Command operatives forcefully dispersed the demonstrators, who were carrying placards with messages like “Oteri-Ughelli is a peaceful community with law-abiding citizens, stop making life difficult for us” and “Police are making life difficult for our poor and innocent citizens.”
Furthermore, it was reported that the police used excessive tear gas on the unarmed women, shot one woman in her left leg, and severely beat others. Two leaders of the protest, Harvest Ugbhwiako and Vivian Aphiare, claimed that the police unlawfully arrested and detained their children and wards, demanding between ₦150,000 and ₦200,000 for their release on bail.
Efe Peter, the President General of the community, also criticized the police at the emergency ward of the General Hospital, Ughelli, where some victims were being treated, condemning the use of live ammunition against peaceful protesters.
However, in a statement to Channels Television on Tuesday, Police Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Command, Edafe Bright, labeled these allegations as a “false narrative.” While he denied any shooting by the police, he did confirm that tear gas was used to disperse the protesters.
“The Area commander declined and informed them that the deployment was in compliance with the directive of the Commissioner of Police CP Abaniwonda Olufemi on the need to ensure police presence in that area to prevent kidnapping and other crimes.
“Surprisingly, women from the community in their numbers forcefully stormed the Area command premises in a violent protest, beating up a policeman in the process, and they were dispersed with the use of tear gas.
“The report making rounds that Policemen shot at peaceful protesters is false and should be completely disregarded,” the statement further said.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police Delta State, Abaniwonda Olufemi, has sued for calm, while reiterating that the command would not succumb to pressure from any quarters because, the adequate protection of life and property is the constitutional mandate of the police, and remains the priority of the command.