The Rivers State Police Command has refuted reports that the Port Harcourt residence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was attacked and set on fire by hoodlums.
On Sunday night, several online media platforms alleged that Wike’s home was under siege and had been torched. However, in a statement released on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Grace Iringe-Koko, dismissed the claims as false and misleading.
Iringe-Koko clarified that the police had no record of any attack on Wike’s residence, describing the reports as an attempt to incite fear and disrupt peace in the state.
“The attention of the Rivers State Police Command has been drawn to misleading reports circulating on online platforms, falsely claiming that riots have broken out in Rivers State, leading to the burning of the residence of former Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike,” she stated.
She emphasized that the state remains calm, and the reports were baseless.
“This information is entirely false and intended to spread panic. There is no such incident, and normalcy prevails across Rivers State. We urge the public to disregard these claims, which are clearly aimed at causing unnecessary tension,” she added.
The police further warned against the spread of false information, stating that legal action would be taken against those responsible for spreading misinformation.
“Individuals or groups engaging in the deliberate spread of falsehoods to incite public disorder will face the full weight of the law. Such actions are capable of causing unnecessary panic and disrupting the peace of law-abiding citizens,” Iringe-Koko warned.
She reassured residents that the police remain committed to maintaining security in Rivers State and encouraged the public to rely on credible sources for information.
“We urge residents to remain calm, verify information before sharing, and report any suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies,” she concluded.
