…as CP Kanayo expresses dismay over publication, cautions against unverified and sensational reportage.
The Enugu State Police Command has condemned a publication in the Vanguard Newspaper of Tuesday, January 16, 2024, alleging that gunmen ran riot in the Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, recently.
A statement signed by the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, said that the Command, having gone through the content of the report and its available records, wishes to state categorically that the report is reckless, misleading, inaccurate, fictitious, and sensational. For instance, the report states that seven wedding guests were abducted by the said local government, when there was no such abduction in the area.
“It equally misleadingly claims that the gunmen engaged soldiers in a shout-out in the process, whereas there was no such incident whatsoever, let alone a shootout with soldiers. The publishers are, therefore, challenged to name the said wedding guests, DSP Ndukwe said.
The statement read, “The report also highlights the case of the shooting and murder of the traditional ruler of Adani Autonomous community on the night of 22/12/2023, without double-checking and ensuring that they reported the true position of the case. They hurriedly went to press, failing to acknowledge the fact that the Command had immediately launched a manhunt and an investigation into the case, leading to the arrest, arraignment, and remand of eight suspects.
“They further hurriedly reported the case of the abduction of one Romanus Chikwelu (male) and three others, without cross-checking their facts to confirm and establish the fact that the victims had earlier been immediately rescued by joint security forces.
“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, while expressing dismay over the publication, has cautioned media practitioners, both in the mainstream and the new media, against publishing unverified and sensational stories that can create fears and despair in the minds of unsuspecting citizens.
“The Commissioner reiterates that the Police remain committed to continuously fighting all forms of crime to a standstill and to maintain the improved general serene security atmosphere in Enugu State. He maintains that media practitioners, through their critical role in investigative journalism, remain very crucial partners in the actualisation of these goals.
“Therefore, the CP charges media practitioners, particularly those in the State, to continue to work harmoniously with the Police and ensure the accurate reporting of security situations by verifying their information.
