National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Chucks Peter, Asaba
The Police in Delta State today said nobody was shot in Ughelli, saying protesters were justifiably dispersed with the use of tear gas in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.
State Police Public Relations officer PPRO. SP Edafe Bright in a statement, said the Command is aware of an allegedly sponsored protest in Ughelli North Local Government Area Monday, 6th May, 2024 and wishes to debunk the false narratives currently being circulated in some media platforms that Policemen shot at peaceful protesters Ughelli.
“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hours, some members of Oteri community, Ughelli approached the Area Commander Ughelli and requested that Policemen be withdrawn from the express road.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 Abaniwonda Olufemi on the need to ensure police presence in that area to prevent kidnapping and other crimes.
“Surprisingly, women from the community in their numbers 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 Commissioner of Police Delta State CP Abaniwonda Olufemi 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.”
