Niger Delta
CP Urges Journalists To Verify Information Before Publishing
The Commissioner of Police (CP), Delta State Command, Mr. Olufemi Abaniwonda, has urged human rights activists and journalists to always verify information from the command before publishing them.
The CP gave the advice in a statement issued on Wednesday in Warri by the command’s spokesman, SP Bright Edafe.
Abaniwonda said unverified information was capable of misleading the public.
He was responding to some social media publications, which alleged that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), (B division) Warri and his men had extorted N240,000 from a suspect, Godstime Edesiri.
According to him, the Command is aware of the false publication on the internet and other social media platforms orchestrated by Edariese.
He said Edariese alleged that the DPO and men of ‘B’ Division Warri arrested Edesiri over an undisclosed crime and was forced to pay a sum of N240,000 for bail.
“For the avoidance of doubt, and to set the record straight, the command wishes to state as follows:
“On Oct.28, 2024, Mrs Helen Ogodogun reported that her phone, Samsung Galaxy AO5s worth N165,000 was stolen while she was on a transit.
“That a sum of N240,000 was transferred from her bank account and used to purchase airtime through USSD”, he said.
Abaniwonda said upon receipt of the complaint, investigation was extended to the bank.
“The police were furnished with the account details and phone number which was recharged from the victim’s account.
“On December 3, 2024, following a technically-driven information, the suspect, Edesiri, whose phone contained the Sim Card that was recharged and the transaction occurred on that day was apprehended”, he said.
The CP said the suspect had opted for an out-of-court settlement with the complainant.
He, however, said the suspect was arraigned in court on Monday on charges of conspiracy and stealing.
Abaniwonda added that Edariese was consequently remanded in Okere Correctional Centre, Warri.