ATTACKED PORT HARCOURT JOURNALIST SAYS POLICE ARRESTED WRONG SUSPECTS
Read Time:1 Minute, 55 Second
By Aishat Momoh. O.
A broadcast journalist based in Port Harcourt, Allwell Ene, has alleged that the 13 persons arrested by the police in connection with his assault are not the actual hoodlums who attacked him while he was carrying out his professional duties.
Ene made the claim on Friday after participating in an identification exercise conducted by the Nigeria Police Force in Port Harcourt.
The journalist, who works with Megaletrics, operators of Classic FM 91.1, Beat FM 99.9 and Naija FM 92.7, expressed disappointment that three weeks after the attack, the actual perpetrators were yet to be apprehended.
Recall that the Rivers State Police Command, through its spokesperson, Blessing Agabe, had earlier announced the arrest of 13 suspects allegedly linked to the assault on the journalist.
However, Ene insisted that none of the individuals presented to him during the identification exercise were among those who assaulted and injured him at the Garrison area of Port Harcourt.
According to him, prosecuting the real culprits would serve as a deterrent to others who may attempt to attack journalists while performing their lawful duties.
“Unfortunately, as I speak to you, the hoodlums who attacked me are still walking freely around the same Garrison area where the incident occurred,” Ene said.
“I believe the Police can do better to arrest the real suspects,” he added.
Responding to the concerns, police spokesperson Blessing Agabe explained that the suspects were arrested at the same location where Ene was attacked and were allegedly involved in similar criminal activities.
According to her, the suspects were apprehended while committing offences such as phone theft in the area.
Agabe, however, assured that investigations were ongoing and that further arrests would be made if necessary.
“Well, what happened was that the suspects were arrested while committing similar crimes, such as stealing a phone at the same spot where he was attacked,” she said.
“Now that he said they’re not the main suspects, our men are still investigating, and further arrests will be made. When that happens, we will invite the journalist for another identification exercise,” Agabe added.
Meanwhile, civil society organisations, media groups, journalists and concerned citizens have continued to urge the police authorities to intensify efforts toward identifying, arresting and prosecuting those responsible for the assault on Ene.
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