ASSAULT ON PUBLIC: POLICE DERANKS ONE, ANOTHER SEVERELY REPRIMANDED
As IGP Tasks Officers on Professionalism, Respect for Fundamental Rights
Subsequent to complaints and findings on video evidence widely circulated on Sunday 9th April, 2023, on social media of assault, discreditable conduct, and incivility to members of the public, at Emouha, Rivers State, and a follow-up orderly room trial of the affected policemen by the Force Provost Marshal, one Adejoh Siaka has been reduced in rank from Inspector to Sergeant.
Similarly, one Sergeant Ndiwa Kpuebari who was also present at the scene but took no steps to discourage such inappropriate and shameful act was severely reprimanded.
However, one Inspector Friday Obaka, who was later discovered to have been absent from the scene of the skirmish was discharged unconditionally at the conclusion of the proceedings.
In all, the three Policemen will be posted out of Rivers State to other Commands and Formations to continue their police duties.
The Inspector General of Police has therefore tasked officers and men of the Force to be diligent and uphold the lofty tenets of professional policing in the discharge of their duties with respect for the fundamental rights of all citizens in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
CSP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, FORCE HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA
Remarks on media report of The Times by the Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria
Our attention has been drawn to a media report titled “Chinese ‘bribed Nigerian militants for access to vast mineral reserves’”, published by the The Times of the U.K. on April 15, 2023. This report, claiming that “Beijing could be indirectly funding terror”in Nigeria, is based on unverified, unclear and unproven information, to which we have to express our strong dissatisfaction and objection.
The Chinese government, as well as the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, have always encouraged and urged the Chinese companies and nationals in Nigeria to abide by the laws and regulations of Nigeria, and to implement the local rules and guidance on labor, environment, health and safety, etc, and would continue their efforts in this regard. The Chinese government was and would never be involved in any form of funding terrorism. The allegations contained in the report were totally irresponsible and unethical, and the intention of the report is seriously questioned.
For the past decades, the bilateral cooperation between China and Nigeria has brought tangible benefits to our bilateral ties and well-beings of the two peoples. We will continue to work with the Nigerian government to promote development and address security issues. We welcome international partners to join our efforts in good faith, but would reject any intention or action that would smear our cooperation.
Picture 1) Screenshot of an account saying they have taken up arms to fight “this infidel government” of Nigeria.
Picture 2) A screenshot of an Ansaru member using misleading pictures to claim that Nigerian forces have killed civilians in villages where Ansaru members operate.
Picture 3) A screenshot showing some parts of a series of videos uploaded by an Ansaru media wing on Facebook.
Picture 4) A screenshot of a discussion among Ansaru Jihadists about how their Facebook accounts were taken down. The WhatsApp group was later banned.