Anti-Governor Ameachi Protests? Police Apologise To The Governor, Says, "We'll Correct Our Mistakes".

The Police, yesterday, said its officers and men in the Rivers State Command might have committed errors in the discharge of their constitutional duties in the recent events unfolding in the state.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, in charge of Zone 6, Calabar, Cross River State, Mr. Jonathan Johnson, when he led a delegation of senior police officers in the zone on a courtesy visit to the Rivers State governor, Mr Chibuike Amaechi, at Government House, Port Harcourt, said he would correct the mistakes made by the officers and men in Rivers State Police Command. He added  that he had directed the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Joseph Mbu, to ensure there would be no more security breach in the state.

Meanwhile, the state Police Commissioner, Mr Mbu, has banned all forms of street protests in the state.

Mbu, at the Police headquarters, yesterday, at a time hundreds of youths were embarking on an anti-Governor Amaechi protest on the busy Aba Road in Port Harcourt, said any group wishing to carry out any form of protest must seek approval of the Police in the state.

Speaking at the joint press briefing with the AIG zone 6, Mr Johnson, he said the Police will not hesitate to apply minimal force to quell any protest in the state and ensure that those arrested were prosecuted.

He said: “As from today (yesterday), there will be no peaceful or violent procession without due approval from the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State.  Anyone who does this will be arrested and prosecuted. The Police will use minimal force to ensure defaulters are arrested and prosecuted.”

Meantime, the AIG, speaking at Government House, when he visited Amaechi, said: “We will take note of all these mistakes and we will correct them. I am assuring you, we will correct them. If there are lapses noticed, let us know so that we can make amends. And I also want to thank you (Amaechi) for all you have done for us and the others that you are going to do. We shall continue to appreciate because you know requests from the police will never stop coming.

“Every person that had served or is serving as a Police personnel,  sometimes is susceptible to some errors here and there and when that comes to forefront, it is incumbent on that particular person to say he or she shall make amends.”

Culled from the Vanguard Newspapers.