Imo State Police Command has refuted the recent media report against the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the command, stressing that the series of allegations contained in the report are misleading, lack fact and unfounded.
The report written by one Juliana Francis had among other unverified claims, alleged that suspects detained at the unit also known as Tiger Base are extrajudicially killed on daily basis and some fed with thier poop.
But in a release signed by the Command’s spokesman, DSP Henry Okoye, the command insisted that for the said Juliana Francis to attribute the allegations to complainants with fake names, “raises concerns about the credibility and reliability of the information provided and; also calls into question the journalistic standard behind the report.”
Okoye disclosed that the command had investigated the allegations and found out that they are mere calculated attempt by mischief makers to mislead the public and to dent the image of the command as well as undermine the integrity of the police force.
He reiterated the Command’s commitment to upholding rule of law, professionalism, accountability and urged media practitioners to always to verify their reports concerning the Command through the appropriate channels before publishing.
The release partly reads, “The Imo State Police Command has taken note of the recent media report titled “Investigation Exposes Alarming Abuse of Detainees at Police’s Tiger Base,” authored by one Juliana Francis, which makes serious and unfounded allegations against the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Owerri and, by extension, the Imo State Police Command.
“The Command categorically rejects these allegations and asserts that the information presented in the report is misleading, lacking in facts and does not reflect the true operations of the Command.
“It is crucial to emphasize that the author did not take the necessary steps to verify the allegations with the Imo State Police Command before publishing.
“The allegations, attributed to complainants using pseudo names, have been investigated and found out to be misleading and unfounded. This raises concerns about the credibility and reliability of the information provided and; also calls into question the journalistic standards behind the report.
“In contrast to the allegations, the Imo State Police Command affirms that all suspects are treated in accordance with legal protocols and their rights respected. Hence, claims of unlawful detentions, torture, extortion, and extrajudicial killings in the command are untrue.”
“The Imo State Police Command is dedicated to ensuring that all its divisions, tactical units, and formations uphold the rule of law and accountability. The Command is open to receiving genuine complaints against any tactical unit through its Complaint Response Unit.
“The Commissioner of Police assures the public that all complaints will be thoroughly investigated and confidentially treated; and any officer found culpable will face severe disciplinary sanctions.
“In light of this, the Commissioner of Police urges all media personnel, especially print correspondents, to verify their reports with the Imo State Police Command before publishing. The spread of unverified and misleading information erodes public trust and undermines the integrity of the Force.” Okoye added.