Police deny using teargas on protesters, say officers only drove off criminals

The Police in Rivers State has denied reports that it attacked protesters under the platform of Take-It-Back Movement who were protesting against the Cybercrime Act and the growing hardship in Nigeria.

In a statement issued hours after the nationwide protest organised by TIB and some other civil society organisations, the spokesperson for Rivers Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko said officers did not fire teargas at the protesters.

According to the Police, officers on the protest ground only drove away “criminals and miscreants” from stealing valuables from the protesters.

“The Command wishes to categorically clarify that the report is unfounded. Upon receiving intelligence regarding the protest, our officers were promptly deployed to the specified locations.

“On arrival, a group of miscreants was observed engaging in criminal acts, including the theft of mobile phones and other valuables from unsuspecting members of the public. Our operatives responded swiftly, dispersing the individuals,” Iringe-Koko said.

She also noted that claims that the police attacked protesters were aimed at “incite public anxiety and create unnecessary tension within the state”.