The Rivers State Police Command, has debunked report on social media about ongoing serial killings in Eneka Community in Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State.
The report, which went viral on social media at the weekend had claimed that no fewer than 10 persons have been killed, scored injured and several others missing in attacks carried out by unknown gunmen in the last 24 hours.
But, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday, described the report as “false, baseless and not verifiable.”
The statement reads in part: “The attention of the Rivers Police Command has been drawn to phantom online news on: “BULWARK INTEL: Warning/Insecurity, 1524 hrs., Nigeria 🇳🇬 (Rivers State), 17 June 2023”.
“The command wishes to state that the purported threats of recurrent attacks by an Unidentified Armed Group (UAG) within the Eneka axis in Port Harcourt resulting in an unascertained number of casualties including 10 fatalities is false, baseless and not verifiable, as it only exists in the imagination of mischief-makers.
“Preliminary investigation carried out, including interfaces and interviews with the Eneka axis in Port Harcourt revealed that no such thing happened.
“It is also important to note that no Individuals and businesses reported a case of attacks by an Unidentified Armed Group to us.
“So, the command is urging the public to regard the report as fake news as it is only intended to overheat the security situation in Rivers state.
“However, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, CP Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka, PSC, LLB, Ph.D., has ordered an investigation into the report as well as warns purveyors of fake news to desist forthwith or face prosecution.
“The CP is irrevocably committed to protecting the lives and properties of all residents and is also soliciting for the support and cooperation of all.”