The Rivers State Police Command has said that the Thursday invasion of Joy Nunieh’s home was done with the knowledge of Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu and state Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan.
State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nnamdi Omoni disclosed this in a statement in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Former Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Nunieh’s Port Harcourt residence was on Thursday invaded by armed policemen.
Videos that circulated on social media showed that it took the intervention of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike to rescue her from the security agents, who allegedly invaded the residence without a warrant and the state police commissioner’s knowledge.
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Speaking after the “rescue”, Wike said, “I called the Commissioner of Police, he said he was not aware. They said it’s the IGP Monitoring Team, but I have spoken to the authorities, they said the IG is not even aware.
“For me, if there is any crime against Dr Joy Nunieh, I will not back her. Some say she is not in my party, so I shouldn’t intervene, but she’s a Rivers daughter.”
Omoni disclosed that the team was sent from Abuja to arrest the ex-NDDC boss, noting that it was preposterous for anyone to say that the policemen were fake.
The police spokesman said, “We state that the Officers who were at the residence of the former Ag. MD Joi Nunieh were from the IGP Monitoring Team in Abuja and were here on Official assignment.
“That before they proceeded to her residence, they observed due protocols and requisite standard operating procedures, including going through the processes of arriving themselves at the Headquarters with their Investigation Activities duly signed and approved by the Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph G Mukan psc (+).
“That they went to her residence with Mobile Policemen, suggesting of course that they were there on official duty and not illegal duty as speculated.
“That, the reference indicating that the Officers were there without the directive of the CP nor the IGP is preposterous and most unfortunate, hence should be discountenanced and disregarded.”