Youths numbering about 500 Wednesday protested in Ekuigbo Community, Ughelli North LGA of Delta State, over alleged arbitrary arrests and harassment of residents by officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The protesters also alleged that Policemen alongside some members of the hunters group were involved in kidnapping in the area.
But, spokesman of the Delta State Police Command, DSP. Edafe Bright, denied the allegations, describing them as completely fasle, mischievous and misleading.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), a recent incident involving Policemen and members of a community was a case of resisting lawful arrest by some suspects including attack on policemen on lawful duty.
“On 13/2/2024 at about 1715 hours, while the Police surveillance team attached to Ughelli Area Command was on surveillance patrol, they intercepted a white GLK Benz without plate numbers.
“The police in their curiosity asked the occupants to reveal their identities and establish ownership of the vehicle, the suspects could not give any reasonable and satisfactory explanation and were asked to come along with them for further investigation.
“The suspects declined and called one Edirin Ogogorode who came with a car and blocked the Police. However, the police subdued them and took the suspects to the police station. On returning to recover the GLK which at that time was suspected to be a stolen vehicle, one Jeffery Augustine mobilized youths of the community in their numbers and attacked the Policemen during which one of the officers was seriously injured and is still receiving treatment at the hospital.
“A total of 10 suspects were arrested and will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation,” the PPRO narrated.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, Delta State, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, has, therefore, advised members of the public to support the Police at all times, noting that resisting arrest or assaulting policemen while performing their lawful duties will not be tolerated by the Command under his watch.
He also admonished the youths of Delta State not to be misled, highlighting that protest is not the best way to express their grievances and that they should resist any urge to embark on violence while also admonishing them to be law-abiding at all times.
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