The Rivers State Police Command has arrested over 20 persons in Nkpolu/Rumuigbo, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the state, in connection with the alleged humiliation of a police officer, Joshua Nyian, and two others who were paraded by youths of the community.
The Youth President of Nkpolu Rumuigbo, Owhonda Chamberlain, had paraded Officer Nyian and the two others for their alleged involvement in the sale and purchase of hard drugs in the community, an act the youths say is prohibited in the area.
However, the Rivers State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, dismissed the allegations, insisting that the police officer was not involved in drug dealings.
The command claimed that Nyian was humiliated by the youth president due to a personal dispute involving a woman.
In a statement by the Command on Wednesday, the police said it extended an invitation to Owhonda Chamberlain and his group, but they failed to honour it.
The statement noted that the development prompted a mass arrest of over 20 persons, including the leader of the local vigilante group in the community, some members of the vigilante group, and individuals who had used their mobile phones to record the incident.
The Command said the arrests were carried out by operatives of the Commissioner of Police Monitoring Unit.
DAILY POST reports that those arrested were first taken to the office of the Commissioner of Police, before being moved to the CP Monitoring Unit in Old GRA, Port Harcourt, where they are being detained pending further investigation.
Meanwhile, the Youth President of Nkpolu Rumuigbo, Owhonda Chamberlain, has dismissed claims by the Rivers State Police Command that he framed the police officer over a girl.
Chamberlain, in an interview, described the allegation as a defensive tactic aimed at swaying public opinion from the truth, stressing that his actions against the officer were part of a community campaign against illicit drugs.
He called for a thorough investigation into the matter, disclosing that the officer’s lover is his relative, and under their tradition, he could not have had sexual relations with her.
“I want the public to know that the girl he is claiming happens to be larger family sister, which I cannot have anything to do with the girl. I don’t know if you’re getting me?
“He’s just saying this thing just to cover up. I’ll always say the truth.
He added, “You can go and do your investigation. The girl is from Nkpolu. The girl is from Aka family. And you can also ask their family people that we are interrelated. I cannot have anything to do with such person.
“He’s is just claiming so that it would be as if he is putting up a defense.”
The youth leader also raised alarm over threats to his life since the incident.
He further rejected claims of extorting the officer, challenging both parties to submit their bank statements for verification.
“He also claimed that we forcefully tell him to transfer N78,000 to my personal account.
“Go to his statement of account, no such thing is done. Go to my account, I have not receive any money of such. I want the public to know that he is lying.”
Rivers: Police arrest 20 over assault on officer accused of selling drugs
