The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP, Mr. Musa Kimo, has disclosed that, ‘some politicians are mounting pressure on him to release a certain suspected criminal who was arrested by operatives of the command with a pump action rifle.’
The CP, identifying the suspect as Wisdom Chidi, said pump action rifle remained one of the prohibited arms in the country and wondered where Chidi, a member of a vigilante group, got the weapon from.
While speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Kimo said though there had been pressure on him to release the suspect; he would not succumb to such pressure.
He stressed that he would continue to be professional in the discharge of his responsibility of ensuring the protection of lives and property of the citizens of the state.
“Some politicians are mounting pressure on me and the DC, CID to release suspected criminals.
“There has been enormous pressure on me to release a suspect that was caught with a pump action rifle. But I have vowed to be professional in my duty to protect lives and property.
“We are working round the clock to ensure the security of lives and property.
“We will be focused on that and will not succumb to any pressure to release suspects. Of course, the suspect has been charged with unlawful possession of firearm,” he added.
The CP also disclosed that the suspect, who was arrested early January in Ahoada town, Ahoada East Local Government Area and was arraigned in court on January 14, 2016, had been remanded in prison since then, pending when he (Chidi) would appear in court again.
“To begin to mount pressure that the suspect should be allowed to go is condemnable and unacceptable,” Kimo said, adding that the suspect was arraigned in court on January 14, 2016.
“He was caught with a pump action rifle and the possession of this type of arm is prohibited by law,” the CP noted.
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