CITIZENS COMPASS —Delta State Police Command on Thursday, September 12, 2023, debunked a viral video claiming about 20 passengers of a commercial bus were kidnapped on their way to Lagos State from Delta State.
Spokesperson of the Command, Bright Edafe said this in a statement.
The video which went viral on Tuesday morning captured some distraught persons in the forest seeking assistance from security operatives as they claimed that a passenger – bus conveying them to Lagos from Okene was ambuished.
He said the State Commissioner of Police, CP Wale Abass had ordered for an on-the-spot assessment of the scene and findings revealed that the claim by those behind the video was untrue.
“In response to the viral audio clip being circulated on Whatsapp and other social media platforms, the Commissioner of Police Delta State, CP Wale Abass psc today 12/9/2023 directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations, DCP Johnson Adenola, the Area Commanders of Agbor and Sapele Area Commands respectively to embark on an on-the-spot assessment of the Ugbehwore town in Jesse Ethiope West LGA, Delta State. They are to access the security architecture and identify grey areas where reinforcement is to be emplaced.
“The CP also directed the immediate deployment of tactical teams to complement the efforts of the DPO in the area; to nip this ugly trend in the bud, and to ensure that road users ply the road without fear of being kidnapped.
” The Command, while appreciating the effort of members of the public for bringing this to the attention of the command, wishes to debunk a part of the clip stating that twenty persons were kidnapped, and ten persons killed as false and an exaggeration of the happenings in the area.
“The Command is working in close collaboration with the Edo State Police Command as the area in question is a boundary between Edo State and Delta State. Members of the public are assured of the command’s commitment to providing security for all and ensuring that our roads are completely safe for road users.
“In line with the popular saying: “IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING”, the Commissioner of Police Delta State CP Wale Abass solicits the support of members of the public by way of giving useful, credible, and timely information. He further reiterates that perpetrators of this heinous act are surely in cahoot with some indigenes of the land. Hence, he urges the traditional rulers, community heads, and local leaders to sensitize members of the community on the consequences of conspiring with criminals, and the legal implications.”
