The Rivers State Police Command has clarified that the policemen, who surrounded the residence of a former acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) were on legitimate duty.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Nnamdi Omoni, who did not state the mission of the policemen, debunked reports suggesting that the officers were on illegal duty.
Omoni said the police officers, who barricaded the house of Nunieh in Port Harcourt on Thursday, a day she was billed to testify before an ad-hoc committee of the House of Representatives investigating financial mismanagement in NDDC, came from the IGP Monitoring Unit, Abuja.
He said said the police officers observed due protocols and requisite standard operating procedures,including reporting at the police headquarters in Port Harcourt to have their Investigation Activities signed by the Commissioner, Joseph Mukan.
Omoni said: “Ordinarily, such a phantom report should have been ignored but due to the potential danger inherent in keeping silent, the Command is minded to react and state the true position.
“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.
“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.
“They went to her residence with Mobile Policemen, suggesting of course that they were there on official duty and not illegal duty as speculated. 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.
“The command under the watch of CP Joseph G. Mukan is poised to deliver quality policing services that will endure and stand the test of time. The Command will continue to remain firm, focused and will not be distracted by any consideration”.

By Mike Odigwe