Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, has described as reckless, misleading, inaccurate, fictitious, and sensational report that seven wedding guests were kidnapped while gunmen ran riot in some parts of the state.
It was reported that the incident which allegedly happened in the Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, also saw the hoodlums engaged soldiers in a gun duel.
Reacting to the report in a statement through the spokesman of the command, Daniel Ndukwe, yesterday, the Police Commissioner said having gone through the content of the report and the command’s available records, there was no such incident or abduction in the area.
The police chief challenged the writer to name the said wedding guests.
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”.
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 capable of creating fear and despair in the minds of unsuspecting citizens.
He reiterated 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.
Uzuegbu charged media practitioners, particularly those in the state, to continue to work harmoniously with the police and ensure the accurate reportage of security situations by verifying information at their disposal.
