Police Speak On Alleged Involvement Of Its Officers In Potiskum Robbery

The Yobe State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has denied a report which claimed two of its officers were involved in a robbery which took place in Potiskum.

A statement on Friday by the Command’s Spokesman, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, also denied allegations of shielding the accused policemen and disrupting court proceeding.

The Police spokesperson described the November 7 publication by an online news platform with the title, “Police disrupt court proceeding, take out colleagues accused of robbery in Yobe” as “misleading and malicious.

Giving his side of the story, Abdulkarim explained that “No police personnel invaded any magistrate’s court to free arraigned accused.

“We have no record of robbery incidents involving police personnel in Potiskum or any local government area in the state.

“To set the records straight, on February 23, at 1630hrs, an accident occurred at Zangon Alhazai area of Potiskum, involving a truck and a motorcycle.

“ASC Abubakar Umar of the Nigerian Correctional Service solicited bail for the driver, which was granted.

“However, police refused to release the vehicle as the victim was still receiving treatment, while still investigating reckless and dangerous driving.

“This led to a fracas, resulting in Umar’s arrest for obstruction.”

He added that the Area Commander, exercising procedural diligence, directed the personnel to return to the station as the case involved enforcement of Fundamental Human Rights, a high-calibre matter beyond the magistrate’s jurisdiction.

“At no point did police personnel invade the court or forcibly retrieve colleagues,” he said.

The Police also threatened to take legal action agains the online newspaper if the platform does not retract the report immediately and tender an unreserved apology to the command.