Police Refute Claims of Shooting at ‘Take It Back’ Protesters in Rivers
Reports that Rivers State Police Command personnel fired tear gas or opened fire to scatter “Take It Back” demonstrators during a march on Monday have been refuted.
According to a statement released by SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, the police called the claims “unfounded” and the reports “false.”
Officers were sent to designated areas after receiving information about the demonstration, the statement said.
Police claimed that what seemed to be a protest was actually a gang of criminals stealing valuables and cell phones from people in the community.
When Iringe-Koko arrived, he said, “A group of criminals were seen committing crimes, such as stealing cell phones and other valuables from innocent bystanders.
“Our agents moved quickly, scattering the residents.”
The accusations made against the police, she added, were a “deliberate fabrication by mischief makers seeking to incite public anxiety and create unnecessary tension within the state.”
Residents were reassured of their safety by the Command, which asked the public to ignore what it described as “unfounded claims.”
“This act of disinformation is highly condemned by the Rivers State Police Command, which also cautions those responsible for spreading such lies to stop right away.
The statement further stated that “public peace and security are seriously threatened by the dissemination of false and unsubstantiated information.”
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In addition to urging citizens to report suspicious activity or misconduct using the designated contact lines, the police restated their dedication to safeguarding people and property throughout Rivers State in a professional, legal, and personable manner.
However, journalists covering the protest characterized it as a peaceful rally before the alleged disturbance by law enforcement, which runs counter to the police story.
After police used tear gas and, some demonstrators said, “live bullets,” some journalists were hurt while they were leaving the area.
While reporting the demonstration, Charles Opurum, a Channels Television correspondent, was also taken into custody but subsequently freed.