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Kwara Police Deny Unlawful Detention of Minor, Cite Aiding and Abetting
๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Kwara Police Deny Unlawful Detention of Minor, Cite Aiding and Abetting

From Vanguard · (5m ago) English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Kwara State Police Command has refuted claims of unlawful detention of a minor, labeling a viral video as misleading.
  • The incident involved a 16-year-old sister who allegedly harbored her 19-year-old brother, a suspect in a housebreaking and theft case.
  • Police stated the teenager was cautioned, her statement recorded, and she was released to her guardian, emphasizing she was not unlawfully detained.

The Kwara State Police Command has moved swiftly to debunk circulating social media narratives alleging the unlawful detention of a minor. In a clear and direct statement, the Command has characterized the viral video as misleading, urging the public to disregard its contents. This response is crucial in managing public perception and preventing the spread of misinformation, particularly concerning sensitive issues involving law enforcement and minors.

The Kwara State Police Command wishes to categorically refute a misleading video currently circulating on social media, which alleges the unlawful detention of a minor in Arandun community.

โ€” Ejire Adetoun AdeyemiPolice Public Relations Officer, Kwara State Police Command, addressing the viral video.

The Command clarified that the situation stemmed from a reported case of housebreaking and theft. The principal suspect, a 19-year-old male, was reportedly being harbored by his 16-year-old sister. According to the police, the sister was taken into custody not for detention, but for aiding and abetting a suspect in obstructing lawful arrest. This distinction is vital: the police assert that her involvement was investigated, her statement was taken, and she was subsequently released to her guardian on bond after being cautioned.

She was taken into custody for aiding and abetting a suspect with intent to obstruct lawful arrest.

โ€” Kwara State Police CommandExplaining the reason for the 16-year-old's temporary custody.

From the perspective of Vanguard, a publication committed to reporting on Nigerian affairs with a focus on accountability and transparency, this incident highlights the complexities of policing in the digital age. The ease with which unverified information can spread on social media necessitates a prompt and factual response from authorities. The Command's emphasis on its commitment to the rule of law and transparency aims to reassure the public while also correcting the record. The ongoing efforts to apprehend the primary suspect underscore the police's dedication to justice, ensuring that the narrative is not solely defined by potentially misleading viral content.

The Command stressed that the teenager was not unlawfully detained, contrary to claims in the viral video, describing the narrative as inaccurate and misleading.

โ€” Kwara State Police CommandReiterating that the minor's detention was lawful and the viral claims were false.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.