Abia PPRO, Maureen Chinaka
The Abia State Commissioner of Police (CP), Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, has ordered an orderly room trial for police officers who invaded a radio station in Umuahia, the state capital to effect the arrest of a guest identified as Udensi Bernard who was on a live radio programme at ABN TV/Radio located at Azikiwe road.
The Abia State Command of the Nigeria police had invaded Flo FM in the Umuahia North local government area of the state to arrest one Don Norman who was accused of being witch-hunted by the Okezie Ikpeazu-led administration over his criticism of the government of the day. It was gathered that the policemen invaded the radio Station to arrest Bernard over a purported petition written against him by his brother, one Onwuka over a family issue.
The management of ABN TV/Radio had raised the alarm over the manner the policemen whom our correspondent gathered failed to produce a warrant of arrest invaded their studios and damaged their studio facility and whisked away their guests, an action the management considered a slap on them and threat to journalism in the state. The broadcast media management, characterizing the actions of the policemen as provocative and overzealous, criticized their breach of rules of engagement.
The management pointed out that the officers entered their studio without first seeking a meeting with the management, saying that they forcefully entered the studio, disrupting an ongoing live audience participatory program.
The media had informed their scheduled guest weeks in advance, considering him the most suitable speaker for the discussed subject matter. The actions of the police personnel who were audacious in a video that went viral in social media have attracted several criticisms from members of the public who faulted the actions of the policemen as they exhibited a lack of professionalism and respect for the media in the state.
The Abia State Police Command in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Maureen Chinaka, could not reveal the identity of the said police personnel but went further to inform the public that the state Police Chief had personally paid a visit to the radio Station for on the spot assessment and has apologised to the management of the radio Station over the conduct of the personnel.
According to Chinaka, the officers have defaulted and their orderly room trial, adding that if they were found guilty, they would be disciplined accordingly.
She further stated that the Abia State Police Command was committed to maintaining a professionally competent, service-driven, rule-of-law compliant, and people-friendly Police Force, in line with the vision of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Ebetokun.
