Delta State police said the command is aware of an allegedly sponsored protest in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, in a press release made available to journalists Tuesday by the police public relations officer, Mr Bright Edafe in Asaba, Delta State.
The release noted that the said incident occurred on May 6, 2024, and wishes to debunk the false narratives currently being circulated on some sections of the media that policemen shot at peaceful protesters.
The Command maintained that nobody was shot during the protest; however, the use of tear gas was rightly used to disperse the protesters.
The release went further that on May 6, 2024, at about 11:30 hours, some members of Oteri community, Ughelli, approached the Area Commander Ughelli and requested that policemen be withdrawn from the express road.
The Area Commander declined and informed them (protesters) that the deployment was in compliance with the directive of the Commissioner of Police Abaniwonda Olufemi on the need to ensure police presence in that area to prevent kidnapping and other crimes.
Surprisingly, women from the community in their numbers forcefully stormed the Area Command premises in a violent protest, beating up a policeman in the process, and they were dispersed with the use of tear gas.
The command added that the report making the rounds that policemen shot at peaceful protesters is false and should be completely disregarded.
The Commissioner of Police Delta State, Abaniwonda Olufemi, sues for calm and reiterates that the Command will not succumb to pressure from any quarters because adequate protection of life and property is the constitutional mandate of the police and remains the priority of the Command.
