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The commissioner of police in Enugu State, Mr. Kanayo Uzuegbu has described as reckless, misleading, inaccurate, fictitious, and sensational the newspaper report suggesting that seven wedding guests were kidnapped while gunmen ran riot in some parts of the state.
The newspaper had on Tuesday reported that the incident which allegedly happened in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of recently, also saw the hoodlums engaging soldiers in gun duel.
Reacting to the report in a statement he issued through the spokesman of the command, Daniel Ndukwe on Tuesday, the CP said that having gone through the content of the report and the command’s available records, there was no such incident nor abduction in the area.
The police chief therefore challenged the publishers of the report to name the said wedding guests.
The statement reads in part: “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”.
The commissioner of police, while expressing dismay over the publication, cautioned media practitioners, both in the mainstream and the new media, against publishing unverified and sensational stories that are capable of creating fears and despair in the minds of unsuspecting citizens.
He reiterated that the police remain committed to continuously fight all forms of crime to a standstill and to maintain the improved general serene security atmosphere in Enugu State.
Uzuegbu maintained therefore charged 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.
