Rivers State Police Command has confirmed that a police officer was allegedly assaulted and dispossessed of his belongings by community youths in Nkpolu, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
According to a statement released by the Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, the incident occurred on Saturday, August 24, at about 10:20 a.m. when Inspector Joshua Nyian, attached to the Woji Division, stopped by to visit a female acquaintance said to be pregnant for him.
The police report indicated that the officer was confronted by the Nkpolu Youth President, the Community Chairman, and about 20 other youths. They allegedly beat him up, dragged him to a major road, seized his police identity card and mobile phone, recorded him on video, and took away the sum of ₦78,000.
The Command further disclosed that Inspector Nyian alleged in his written statement that the youth leader had been making romantic advances to the woman in question, suggesting this may have triggered the attack.
Following the incident, the officer was issued a medical form for treatment, while police said efforts were ongoing to bring in the youth president and others fingered in the case for questioning.
Iringe-Koko assured that a discreet investigation had been launched and warned community members against taking the law into their own hands. She added that justice would be served once investigations are concluded.
“Frantic efforts are ongoing for the youth president with others involved to come forward to make statement for discreet investigation,” she said.
