The Rivers State Police Command has refuted reports that the Port Harcourt home of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, was attacked and set ablaze by hoodlums.
On Sunday night, several online platforms circulated claims that Wike’s residence was under siege, allegedly set on fire by unidentified individuals. However, in an official statement released on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Grace Iringe-Koko, dismissed the reports as misleading and baseless.
Reacting to the viral news, Iringe-Koko categorically debunked the story, labeling it a fabrication aimed at inciting panic.
“The attention of the Rivers State Police Command has been drawn to a misleading and malicious report circulating on various online media platforms, falsely claiming that riots have erupted in Rivers State, leading to the burning of the residence of the former Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, along with other acts of violence.”
She clarified that there was no record of such an incident and urged the public to disregard the false claims.
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“The Command categorically states that this report is entirely false, baseless, and a deliberate attempt by mischief makers to incite unrest and spread fear among law-abiding residents. There is no record of any such incident, and normalcy prevails across the state. The general public is urged to disregard these unfounded claims, which are clearly intended to cause panic and destabilize the relative peace and security enjoyed by the good people of Rivers State.”
The police also issued a strong warning against the spread of false information, stressing that those responsible for fabricating and disseminating such reports would face legal consequences.
“Furthermore, the Police Command sternly warns those responsible for spreading such incendiary falsehoods to desist from engaging in activities capable of inciting public disorder. The full weight of the law will be brought to bear on individuals or groups found guilty of spreading misinformation or attempting to disrupt the peace in any form.”
Superintendent Iringe-Koko reassured residents that security agencies remain committed to maintaining peace and stability in the state. She urged the public to rely only on credible sources for information and to report any suspicious activities to law enforcement authorities.
With tensions rising in the state’s political landscape, the police’s swift dismissal of the false report aims to prevent unnecessary panic and maintain law and order.