Delta Police Clarify New Year Arrests, Debunk Sahara Reporters’ Claims
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Delta State Police Command has issued a statement clarifying arrests made by its operatives in Asaba on New Year’s Eve, while debunking claims made by Sahara Reporters.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, on Tuesday described the publication made by the online news medium as misleading and malicious.
TheFact Daily reports that Sahara Reporters had in a publication earlier today, alleged that operatives of the command had initially arrested worshippers on their way to or from a cross-over service, and only released them on bail after extorting sums of money ranging between 150,000 and 200,000 naira from them. One of those arrested was an operative of the Federal Road Safety Corps, who was granted bail on self recognition.
The medium further alleged that after it published the story on the extortion, one of those arrested and bailed, a staff of the Delta State Fire Service named Benjamin Eboka, was tricked to come and collect his impounded vehicle at the command, only for him to be accused of exposing the bail extortion to the media, rearrested and detained despite his defending himself that he knows nothing about the publication.
In its statement, the Command explained that suspects were arrested by its operstives on New Year’s Eve for various offences
bordering on violent disturbances, public nuisance, drug-related activities, and conducts likely to cause a breach of public peace.
It said that upon conclusion of preliminary investigations, thirty-three (33) suspects were found to have prima facie cases against them and were duly charged to court and arraigned before Magistrate Court 1, Asaba.Following arraignment, three suspects were remanded while others were granted bail.
Edafe clarified that the FRSC operative was not arrested as a worshipper or for media interaction, but for allegedly purchasing illicit drugs, and was later granted bail due to his status as a member of a sister security agency, with assurances of his court attendance, while stressing that bail does not end investigations or imply innocence, as inquiries and possible prosecution are ongoing.
The Command urged the public to disregard what it described as Sahara Reporters’ misinformation, reaffirming its commitment to professionalism, due process, transparency, and the maintenance of public order and safety.
