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Enugu State‘s Police Commissioner, Kanayo Uzuegbu, vehemently denounces a newspaper report alleging the kidnapping of seven wedding guests, branding it as reckless, misleading, and sensational, emphasizing its inaccuracy and fictitious nature.
Investigating the incident in the Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, The Eastern Updates uncovered that the alleged occurrence included a gun duel between hoodlums and soldiers.
Issuing a statement through spokesperson Daniel Ndukwe, the Commissioner of Police responded to the report on Tuesday, dismissing any suggestion of an incident or abduction in the area after a meticulous examination of the report’s content and the command’s available records.
Challenging the accuracy of the report, the police chief called upon the publishers to reveal the identities of the said wedding guests, emphasizing the need for transparency in the dissemination of information.
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.’
Read also: How 45 Passengers Were Kidnapped Along Otukpo-Enugu Road
‘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.’
Expressing concern about the publication, the Commissioner of Police cautioned media practitioners, whether in mainstream or new media, against sharing unverified and sensational stories, emphasizing the adverse impact on the psyche of unsuspecting citizens.
The police, once again, underscored their commitment to ongoing efforts in eradicating all forms of crime, aiming to bring criminal activities to a standstill and uphold the prevailing peaceful security environment in Enugu State.
Uzuegbu, in light of this, called on media practitioners, especially those in the state, to foster a harmonious partnership with the police, underscoring the significance of verifying information for accurate reporting on security situations.
