Mr. Taiwo Lekanu, the Imo state Commissioner of Police, has denied allegations that a medical doctor was shot by an officer of the command during a protest organised by doctors in Owerri, the state capital.
The doctors embarked on the protest to agitate against the concession of some health institutions by the state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
The commissioner described the claims as false and malicious, adding that the protest organised by the doctors was handled professionally by members of the command.
He said: “The news was not only false in its entirety, but also malicious as no one, not even a doctor, was shot. The situation was professionally handled by the police in the state.
“If the medical doctors are sure of what they are saying, I contest that they should produce the shot doctor and the extracts of bullets recovered from his body to substantiate their claim.
“Pressmen, who witnessed the incident, could also be required to produce pictures or video clips of the incident indicating same.
“Teargas canisters were the only reasonable force applied to bring the situation under control when miscreants who joined the protesting doctors started throwing stones at the police detailed to save the situation.
“The allegation was peddled to tarnish the image of the police and command under my jurisdiction.”
In a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, the state Commissioner of Police explained that some miscreants joined the doctors in their protest which started at about 11:00 am on February 4, 2016, resulting in the taking-over of the metropolis, causing traffic gridlocks and discomforting the members of the public.
He said: “Any group or body angry over any ugly situation has a right to protest. The police command and I are not against any group on peaceful demonstration. The situation was professionally handled”, further adding that the teargas was only released when the demonstration became unruly.