DistantNews
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Police Arrest 13 Suspects Following Report on Journalist Assaults in Rivers

From The Punch · (1h ago) English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Rivers State Police Command has arrested 13 suspects allegedly involved in the assault of journalists and other criminal activities in Port Harcourt.
  • The arrests follow a PUNCH newspaper report highlighting the attacks on journalists and the general insecurity at bus stops.
  • The police stated that the arrests were made following a directive from the Commissioner of Police to investigate the incidents.

In a swift response to public outcry and a detailed report by The PUNCH, the Rivers State Police Command has announced the arrest of 13 suspects implicated in the recent attacks on journalists and other criminal activities plagting Port Harcourt. The arrests come after The PUNCH published a full-page feature detailing the growing grip of hoodlums on the city's routes and the subsequent assaults on newsmen carrying out their lawful duties.

The report specifically highlighted the ordeals of Mr. Allwell Ene of Megaletrics and Mr. Charles Opurum of Channels Television, who were attacked while on assignment. The newspaper also captured the broader concerns of residents and civil society groups regarding the pervasive activities of touts and urchins at major bus stops, and the police's perceived delay in addressing the situation.

The Rivers State Police Command is aware of a publication currently circulating online regarding an alleged incident involving a journalist. Upon receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugenga Adewole Adepoju, promptly took decisive action by inviting the journalist to provide a firsthand account, while a comprehensive investigation into the matter commenced.

— Police StatementThe Rivers State Police Command acknowledged a PUNCH report and detailed its immediate response, including inviting the assaulted journalist and launching an investigation.

Following the publication, the police, while acknowledging the report, confirmed that decisive action had been taken. The Commissioner of Police, CP Olugenga Adewole Adepoju, personally invited the assaulted journalist to provide an account, and a comprehensive investigation was launched. The police statement indicated that the arrested individuals were involved in the assault on Mr. Ene, who was reportedly attacked for video recording criminal activities in a known black spot. The command emphasized its commitment to restoring order and ensuring the safety of all citizens, including journalists, in the state.

The facts available indicate that one journalist, Mr. Allwell Ene, while conducting a solo investigative activity in an area marked as black spot, known for criminal activities and constantly raided by police, was attacked and physically assaulted by suspected hoodlums for video recording them.

— Police StatementThe police statement provided details about the assault on journalist Allwell Ene, explaining the circumstances that led to the attack.
DistantNews Editorial

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

More Stories

From Our Blog