The Rivers State Police Command has denied the reports spreading on social media that a Divisional Police Officer shot and killed an Inspector who was a part of his division.
This was said by the Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement emailed to reporters on Thursday in Port Harcourt.
Iringe-Koko said that, contrary to what was written in the popular article, there had never been a shooting or a police station called “9th Mile Police Station” in Rivers State.
According to her, the publishing is the product of malicious individuals who want to frighten the people and alienate the police.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Rivers State Police Command has been drawn to a social media publication making the rounds that the DPO of 9th Mile Division shot an Inspector of Police attached to his division.
“The command wishes to notify the general public that there is no truth in the said publication; as no such incident has been reported in any part of the command.
“It is important to point out that there is no Division known as “9th Mile Police Station” in Rivers State. Moreover, there is no record to show that the named DPO is serving in Rivers State.
Since January 2023, no shooting incidents have actually occurred in the Command Formation (divisions and tactical units), according to the leadership.
The publication is thus the creation of certain cunning individuals who wish to instill fear in the public and sow discord and dissatisfaction among the police.
The statement further stated that Okon Effiong, the commissioner of police, has reaffirmed the Rivers State Police Command’s commitment to carrying out its onerous duties with the utmost professionalism.
All law-abiding residents of the state were exhorted by Effiong to go about their legitimate business without fear since the Police are more than capable of defending them.
Thus, the CP advised media outlets and journalists to make sure that reports were verified before being published.
