The Imo State Police Command has dismissed the news making the rounds that gunmen invaded and set ablaze a section of the magistrate’s court in Owerri on Sunday.
According to the reports that the police have tagged as false news, the ‘arsonists’ used explosives and targeted a section of the building within the compound.
Reacting to the news, the Imo State Police Command via a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Michael Abattam, noted that there was a fire incident at the Magistrate court but it was caused by an electrical fault.
The statement read, “It is surprising and disheartening to read in the news on social media that ‘Unknown gunmen strike again, set Imo Magistrate Court ablaze’. This story is unfounded and a misrepresentation of the true picture of what happened, on 18/12/2022 at about 1420 hours, as reported by EverydayNewsNgr.
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“The Command believe that such unverified reportage could create fear and panic in the minds of the good people of the State and Nigerians at large and advised journalists to always ensure they verify their stories before publishing.
“At this juncture, may I put the records straight: nobody ‘threw explosives devices on the Court’ on 18/12/2022 as claimed by the reporter of EverdayNewsNgr rather, it is suspected to be an electrical fault that caused the fire incident in the Exhibit Room of the Court and was put under control due to the timely intervention of the Police and personnel of the Federal Fire Service in the State. Thus, the fire could not spread to cause damages in the premises.”
The police command further assured that normalcy had since been restored in the area.
“Meanwhile, calm has since been restored. The Court registrar was informed of the incident and an investigation is ongoing while the premises has been fortified with enough Security personnel.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, urged citizens to go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestation or attack.
He advised them to disregard fake news and assured them of the Command’s continuous commitment to ensuring a crime-free yuletide season in the State.
Editor’s note: Daily Trust, as a company, prides itself in giving credible and up-to-date news. However, we apologise to the general public for the error.
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