[dropcap]W[/dropcap]onders will never end!
Today, December 1, 2015 I’m reporting from Abuja Nigeria and as you can see, the copy of The Nation newspaper I’m holding here in Abuja is different from the copy of the Propaganda Material they are circulating in Port Harcourt.
The Nation Newspaper is reasonably inciting violence by promoting, publishing and circulating a propaganda material aimed at causing disaffection and crisis in Rivers State.
This is really unethical journalism and must be condemned by all well meaning citizens of our country.
God bless the Rivers State Police Command for issuing this prompt press statement below.
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“RE: “RIVERS: 10 BUSES BURNT AS GUNMEN ATTACK RALLY” AND “APC FLAYS ATTACK ON PARTY MEMBERS DURING PEACEFUL PROTEST IN RIVERS”
The attention of Rivers State Police Command has been drawn to the above captions reported by ‘The Nation’ and ‘Vanguard’ newspapers both of Tuesday, December 1, 2015. The public were made to believe in the body of the said stories that violence marred the peaceful procession that took place on Monday 30/11/2015 in Port Harcourt Rivers State.
2. It is necessary to state that the Command exercised high degree of professionalism in handling the procession most especially that there was another opposing group on procession at almost the same spot. Policemen from the Command were deployed from the beginning to the end of the procession to prevent any untoward situation, and that they did not witness any awkward scene. The statement that ten buses were burnt and that over 60 supporters escaped death when they were attacked by gunmen is not true but spurious and misleading as there has not been any recorded case of such incident with the police.
3. The Command furthermore craves the indulgence of the media to more often than not confirm their stories to ascertain their truthfulness before making them public. Sensational journalism should be avoided so as not to mislead the public and create unnecessary public tension, please.
Signed
DSP. AHMAD K. MUHAMMAD,
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FOR : COMMISSIONER OF POLICE,
RIVERS STATE COMMAND”
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Oraye St. Franklyn is senior special assistant to Governor Nyesom Wike on Social Media. He is a strategic communicator and good governance advocate, writes from Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He tweets from @RealOraye. He is also on Facebook.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
