The Yobe State Police Command has dismissed claims published in an online news report alleging that two of its officers were involved in a robbery in Potiskum and that police operatives disrupted court proceedings to free the accused.
In a statement released on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, refuted the allegations made in the November 7 article titled, “Police Disrupt Court Proceedings, Free Colleagues Accused of Robbery in Yobe.” Abdulkarim called the report “misleading” and “malicious,” emphasizing that no police personnel were involved in any robbery incidents in Potiskum or elsewhere in the state.
The spokesperson clarified that the Yobe Police Command had no record of any robbery involving its officers, either in Potiskum or any other part of the state.
He further denied reports that police had invaded a magistrate’s court to free colleagues under arrest, asserting that the allegations were entirely false.
Abdulkarim explained that the incident referred to in the report stemmed from an accident on February 23, when a truck collided with a motorcycle in the Zangon Alhazai area of Potiskum.
According to Abdulkarim, the driver of the truck had sought bail, which was granted, but the police refused to release the vehicle due to an ongoing investigation into reckless driving.
A fracas ensued, during which a Nigerian Correctional Service officer, ASC Abubakar Umar, was arrested for obstruction.
The police spokesperson further explained that the Area Commander, acting in accordance with proper procedure, directed the personnel to return to the station, as the case involved a matter of fundamental human rights, which was outside the jurisdiction of the magistrate’s court.
“At no point did police personnel invade the court or forcibly retrieve colleagues,” Abdulkarim stressed.
In response to the media report, the police command called on the online platform to retract the story and issue a formal apology. They warned that failure to do so would result in legal action.
Meanwhile, the state chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for an investigation into the matter, demanding that the police respect court orders and ensure that any police officers involved in the incident be held accountable.
NBA Chairperson, Mrs. Altine Ibrahim, described the actions of the police as a serious breach of the law, stating that “no one is above the law.”
The controversy centers around an earlier incident where a police officer, who had reportedly been involved in the case, was removed from court proceedings, leading to further public scrutiny and demands for transparency.
