CITIZENS COMPASS- Delta State Police Command has urged the public to disregard a viral video of a vigilante leader claiming the kidnap of 15 persons and murder of 14 persons in the Owo-Oyibu area of the State.
Spokesman of the Command, Bright Edafe said this in a statement on Saturday, April 13, 2024.
“The Command is aware of a viral video making the rounds and posted on some social media platforms made by one Mr. Benjamin Samuel, the commander of the Owa-Ekei Vigilante group about an alleged sprout of a ring kidnappers tormenting the Agbor region of Delta State, and the supposed kidnapping of fifteen persons and the murder of fourteen within the environ.
“The Command wishes to debunk the narrative and urge the public to disregard the video and the false message therein.
“Upon validating the falsehood of the said narrative, the CP directed that the said vigilante commander be invited for questioning. Preliminary investigation revealed that the incidents as narrated by the said Benjamin Samuel were false.
“Apparently, it was established that he told these untrue stories based on what he was told without clarification which eventually misled members of the public and further instilled fear in the hearts of the good people of Delta State.
“Though his claim regarding the kidnapping and murder of one of his members is true, blowing it out of proportion by exaggerating the number is unacceptable.
“The CP appealed to members of the public, particularly indigenes of Ika Kingdom, to remain calm as he assured them that under his watch, the command would do everything possible to safeguard the lives and properties of all Deltans.
“He further added that he has tasked officers and men of the command to boost the security architecture of the State.
“Conclusively, the CP warns everyone who engages in circulating false stories capable of upsetting the security of the state, that the command will move against them and ensure that they are brought to book. Nonetheless, the public is urged to remain vigilant and to notify the police of any suspicious activity, person or movement in their environment.”
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