The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, has cautioned journalists against sensational and unverified reports capable of creating panic among residents.
A statement by the police command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, said that Uzuegbu gave the warning on Tuesday in Enugu.
“The command is aware of a publication in one of the dailies of today, Jan. 16, alleging that gunmen ran riot in the Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, recently.
“The command, having gone through the content of the report and its available records, wishes to state categorically that the report is reckless, misleading, inaccurate, fictitious, and sensational.
“For instance, the report states that seven wedding guests were abducted in the the said local government, when there was no such abduction in the area,” the statement quoted the CP as saying.
equally described as misleading the report that the gunmen engaged soldiers in a shout-out in the process.
He said that there was no such incident whatsoever, let alone a shootout with soldiers.
“The publishers are, therefore, challenged to name the said wedding guests,” Uzuegbu said.
The CP also expressed concern at the ‘unbalanced report’ of the alleged shooting and murder of the traditional ruler of Adani Autonomous Community on the Dec. 22, 2023.
Uzuegbu said that the publishers hurriedly went to press failing to acknowledge the fact that the command had immediately launched a manhunt and investigation into the case, leading to the arrest, arraignment and remand of eight suspects.
“They further hurriedly reported the case of the abduction of one Romanus Chikwelu and three others, without cross-checking their facts to confirm and establish that the victims had been immediately rescued by joint security forces,” he said.
The commissioner cautioned media practitioners, both in the mainstream and the new media, against publishing unverified and sensational stories that were capable of creating fears and despair in the minds of unsuspecting citizens.
He said that the police remained committed to continuously fight all forms of crime and to maintain the improved general serene security atmosphere in Enugu State.
“Media practitioners, through their critical role of investigative journalism, remain very crucial partners in the actualisation of these goals.
“I, therefore, appeal to media practitioners, particularly those in the state, to continue to work harmoniously with the police and ensure the accurate reporting of security situations by verifying their information,” the CP said.
-NAN
