Protest: Surveillance vehicle damaged, one injured as police debunk allegation in Delta

• As suspects arrested and detained

By Stephen Asaba-ase

The Delta State police command has debunked allegation of Policemen in collaboration with some members of the hunters group were involved in Kidnapping.

The allegation was made by some protesters in Ughelli North LGA on 14th February, 2024 following a controversy between suspected persons and the Nigerian police.

According to a statement signed and issued by the state police public relations officer, Bright Edafe on Wednesday.

The police said the allegations was a complete fallacy, injurious and misleading and should be disregarded.

The statement reads, “For the sake of public clarity, the area police command wishes to exhume and unfold the true situation that played out in Ughelli town on 14th February, 2024.

On a press briefing on the early hours of Tuesday 13/2/2024, Edafe said, “while the Police Surveillance team at Ughelli Area Command was on their usual patrol, they intercepted a white GLK Benz with no plate numbers.

“The police in their curiosity asked the acclaimed owner of the jeep to reveal their identities and establish ownership of the vehicle, the suspects could not gave a reasonable and satisfactory explanation, hence, they were asked to follow the police for further interrogation”.

According to the police, the suspects vehemently refused and called one Edirin Ogogorode who came with his vehicle and interjected the Police.

However, the police managed the uproar and apprehended the suspects to the police station -according to the report.

“While on their way to recover back the GLK jeep which was perceived to be a stolen vehicle, one Jeffery Augustine marshalled the youths of the community in their numbers and attacked the Policemen and one of the officers was seriously injured and vehicle damaged.

“Ten suspects were arrested and they were taken to the police custody for awaiting trial”.

However, the commissioner of police, Mr Abaniwonda Olufemi admonished the general public to always comply with members of the police force when they are carrying out their lawful duty and anything sort of that is against the police ethics.

He also advised the youths not to be misled by some bad elements in the society, emphasising that protest is not the only way to express their grievances and embark on violence activities rather be a law-abiding citizens.