The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed reports that the private residence of Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was attacked by protesters in Port Harcourt.
This follows claims that irate protesters stormed the residence of the minister with the intention to loot the property.
However, Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, denied the incident.
She said, “I’m not aware of such an incident. I’m very sure nothing like that happened.”
She promised to investigate and provide an update.
Providing clarification, Prince Wiro, National Coordinator of Center for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, said, “That information is not correct.”
He cautioned bloggers and social media platform owners to verify information before publishing, especially during sensitive times.
He added, “The protesters were actually coming from the Choba axis of the Ada-George road. When they got to the Minister Wike’s house, they stopped at the right lane of the road. The minister’s house is on the left lane. There was also a very heavy police presence there.
“What they did was that for the 15 minutes or so that they spent on that lane, they were reciting the former national anthem ‘Arise O’ Compatriots, Nigeria’s Call Obey” and raising green leaves to sky with unusual excitement.
“They did not spend more than fifteen minutes because there is no way they could have gain access to the premises with such heavy presence of armed policemen”.
It was also confirmed that the Minister’s business interests, such as Hyper City and hotels, have increased security measures, including armed personnel and Armored Personnel Carriers, to prevent possible attack.
