The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has refuted claims that protesters were shot during a purported protest in Ughelli on Monday morning.
In a statement signed the State Police Command Public Relations Officer, by SP Bright Edafe, CP Abaniwonda said police operatives merely used tear gas to disperse protesters, despite injuring a police officer after beating him up in their wake.
He explained that trouble started on Monday when some youths went to the Ughelli Area Command to demand the withdrawal of policemen from the Ughelli section of the East-West road.
“The Command is aware of an allegedly sponsored protest in Ughelli North LGA today 6/5/2024 and wishes to debunk the false narratives currently being circulated on some sections of the media that Policemen shot at peaceful protesters.
“The Command wishes to state that nobody was shot during the protest, however, the use of tear gas was rightly used to disperse the protesters.
“For the avoidance of doubt and to put the record straight, the Command wishes to state as follows:
“On 6th May 2024, at about 1130 hours, some members of Oteri community, Ughelli approached the Area Commander, Ughelli and requested that Policemen be withdrawn from the express road.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 that the deployment was in compliance with the directive of the Commissioner of Police CP Olufemi Abaniwonda on the need to ensure police presence in that area to prevent kidnapping and other crimes.
“Surprisingly, women from the community in their number 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 report making rounds that Policemen shot at peaceful protesters is false and should be completely disregarded.
“The Commissioner of Police Delta State CP Olufemi Abaniwonda sues for calm and reiterates that the Command will not succumb to pressure from any quarters because the adequate protection of life and property is the constitutional mandate of the Police and remains the priority of the Command,” he said.
