The Rivers State Police Command six persons were killed during a violent protest by angry youths in Chokocho, Etche Local Government Area of the state.
Nnamdi Omoni, the spokesperson of the command, confirmed the killing in a statement in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
He said media reports that 15 persons were killed during an alleged deadly attack on commuters travelling through Etche communities to Owerri and beyond were false.
“The social media reports added that the angry youths also burnt a Police station as well as engaged soldiers and policemen in a gun battle.
“In order not to allow the public form a dangerous opinion, we therefore thought it wise and expedient to correct this fake news,” he stated.
He said the Command had deployed mobile policemen after receiving a distress call on Saturday, December 7 following a blockage of Okomoko-Chokocho Bridge by protesters.
He said policemen, on arrival at the scene, dismantled the barricade and restored normalcy to the area.
“Thereafter, a team led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Joseph Anche, recovered five corpses in a river in the area.
“This discovery, however, sparked off another round of protests, which our men were able to contain.
“At the end of the day, six persons were killed, contrary to the 15 deaths reported; while no Police station was burnt and no commuter was attacked or killed as speculated,” he said.
The Police spokesman said that normalcy had been restored to the area, with the Rivers Commissioner of Police, CP Mustapha Dandaura, launching a full-scale investigation into the incident.
He added that the investigation would enable the Police to determine the circumstances surrounding the killings as well as unravel the identities of the perpetrators of the crime.
“So, CP Dandaura is appealing to residents of Etche to remain calm and trust in the ability of the Command to protect their lives and properties,” he said.
