Stop Harassing Journalists Throughout Period Of Lockdown, Rivers CP Warns Erring Police Officers
The Rivers State Police Command has charged members of the police enforcing the lock down to ensure that human rights abuses are eliminated and to give unfettered access to journalists throughout the period of the lock down.
The police public relations officers Nnamdi Omoni warned police officers in Rivers State to ensure that no journalist or doctor is molested or harnessed while covering the lock down. He said ”I just got the signal of those on essential duties and journalist is number one on the list. I think because the police work hand-in-hand with the media and government. The commissioner of police, CP Joseph Gobum Mukan warned all units, tactical heads, area commanders, divisional police officers, to call their men to order, any policeman who breaches this law and is reported to the command will be dealt with, and all journalists must have identifiable and clear Identity card stating so on him or her at all times, “if at the point of arrest, you do not have identity card, as a journalist or doctor or medical personnel you may need not to blame our officers”
Nnamdi Omoni also emphasized on the need to respect human rights of every citizen and residents of the state. “No policeman should be seen harassing any residents who are not armed, I also warn police men to remember we live in a digital world, videos are so easy to make now, anyone caught in such videos will face disciplinary action from the command. The IGP and The commissioner of police CP joseph Mukan do not play with issues of human rights abuses”.
The state PPRO Nnamdi Omoni also hailed the court judgment sentencing a police Sergeant Johnbosco Okoronze for aiding the escape of Ifeanyi Dike. Sergeant Johnbosco Okoronze who was found guilty of aiding and assisting the escape of Ifeanyichukwu Maxwell-Dike from police custody was sentenced to one-year imprisonment.
He said that Justice Enebeli ruled that he decided to sentence Johnbosco Okoronze to one-year imprisonment because of the fact that he has served two years in prison already and has been dismissed from police force.
He warned officers serving in the command to take their job seriously
DSP Nnamdi Omoni said police is one organisation that does not shield its own, if you are found culpable in any crime or criminal matter, we do our investigations and orderly room trial and that’s is the end for that police officer, just like the case of Johnbosco, upon interrogation he was found culpable for aiding and abetting and was summarily dismissed and handed to court to face trials. He said this is a renewed call for Police officers to take their jobs seriously and at professionally.
