The police in Rivers State have denied reports that its men prevented the council chairman of Obio/Akpor local, George Ariolu from destroying an illegal refinery in the council area.
Police spokesperson in the state, DSP, Grace Iringe-Koko in statement said it was officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps , NSCDC, that reportedly prevented the council chairman.
The full statement reads:
The attention of the Rivers State Police Command has been drawn to the 18th January 2022 Edition of the New Telegraph Newspaper which alleged that the Police prevented the Executive Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Hon. George Ariolu from destroying an illegal refinery used by oil thieves. This is quite misleading and unfortunate.
To put the records straight, The Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, actually went to petroleum depot at Ogbogoro with a detachment of police men led by Acp Akika Solomon on 15/01/2022. On arrival they met about twenty armed personnel of NSCDC (Civil Defence) who were violently opposed to the inspection of the depot. In the ensuing altercation, two of the NSCDC officials corked their rifles against the police. The former were eventually disarmed and arrested, and the chairman had ingress.
The commissioner of Police Rivers state command, CP Eboka Friday, while calling on the public to disregard that report, urges media practitioners to verify their facts before rushing to the press. He also reiterates the commitment of the command to fighting the war against oil bunkering to a logical conclusion as it stands hand in gloves with the Government.
DSP. GRACE IRINGE-KOKO
Ag. POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
RIVERS STATE POLICE COMMAND
