Tension is building up at Nkpolu (Mile 3 ) Police Division as Ikokwu traders in their numbers has gathered at the station.
Reason: According to the Ikokwu traders,
Some Police officers came from Abuja to arrest one Paul they claimed was petitioned by someone that he stole .When they came they did not see Mr. Paul. The Police officer arrested the line Chairman and one other person in place of Paul. The line people in show of patriotism later arrested Mr Paul and handed over to the Policemen who came from Abuja where they incidented the case at Mile 3 Police Division.
According to the Ikokwu line people After handing over the suspect to the Police, officers from Abuja refused to release the persons they arrested in place of the said main suspect Paul and allegedly demanding for one million naira bribe as bail
The situation caused serious protest before A Crime reporter journalist attention was drawn to the matter.
In his account a Hunan rights activist and the coordinator of Center for basic rights and accountability project Prince Wiro who also witnessed the scene said “I rushed down to the place to see what was going on with some Journalists, over 500 persons who wanted to be riotous but was calmed by the Eze Ndigbo and other Igbo leaders were on ground to control them.
He said I immediately put a call to the CP who has temporarily arrested the situation and douse tension by asking the DPO of Olu-Obasanjo and Mile 3 Police Division to immediately bring everybody to his office. As I type the crowd have drastically reduced”.
he also Noted; that 1. The Administration of Criminal Justice Law prohibits arrest of suspect in lieu(Arrest somebody for another person’s crime).
2.There is no criminal liability in law. and expressed confidence that the Rivers state award winning CP will extensively address the matter
While reacting to the incident the Police public relations Officer SP Grace Iringe-Koko said The CP has intervened in the matter . All parties are presently before him, including the Police officers from Abuja. For investigation, further updates will be communicated