The Ebonyi State Police Command has warned individuals and groups against making statements capable of heightening political tension or undermining the peace in the state, assuring residents that it would deal decisively with acts capable of disrupting public order.
The warning followed allegations by a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Hon. Emmanuel Ikechukwu Nwobo, concerning alleged attacks on members of the party and the role of the police in the incidents.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, the Command said it had taken note of Nwobo’s interview on Arise News Channel, but described some of the allegations made against the police as unfounded.
According to the statement, “The Command also wishes to caution individuals and groups against making statements capable of unnecessarily heightening tension or undermining the existing peace in the State.”
The police said while it respected the constitutional right of individuals to express their views, it would not tolerate acts capable of disrupting public peace, inciting violence or threatening the safety of residents.
The Command also challenged the PDP chieftain to produce petitions allegedly submitted to the police over the reported attacks, insisting that no such petition had been received by the Ebonyi State Police Command.
“During the interview, Hon. Nwobo cited three separate incidents in which members of his party were allegedly attacked and claimed that petitions had been submitted to the Police Command regarding the incidents.
“The Command wishes to state unequivocally that no petition relating to any of the alleged attacks has been received by the Ebonyi State Police Command,” the statement said.
The police further dismissed Nwobo’s claim that a “superior order” was responsible for the withdrawal of police personnel invited in connection with one of the incidents.
The Command said it had no knowledge of the alleged conversation in which Barr. Ifeanyi Nworie was purportedly informed of such an order, describing the claim that police personnel were withdrawn because of a directive as “manifestly false and without factual basis.”
It also denied allegations that police officers were present when Nworie was allegedly attacked.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Police were nowhere near any of the incidents referred to during the interview. In particular, no police officer was present at the residence or compound of Barr. Ifeanyi Nworie at the time of the alleged attack,” the statement added.
On Nworie’s request for police protection, the Command said it received a letter from him on July 31, 2026, titled “Threat to Life and Application for Adequate Security Coverage.”
The letter, according to the police, indicated that Nworie was scheduled to be officially received at Onuoriegu, Ikwuator Idembia Ward, Ezza South Local Government Area, on August 1 at 10 a.m.
The Command, however, said Nworie neither contacted it to clarify the request nor supplied additional information on the specific venue and other details required to facilitate adequate security arrangements.
It added that attempts made to contact him were unsuccessful because he neither answered nor returned the calls.
The police said the clarification became necessary to dispel any impression that the Command deliberately failed to provide security for the event.
Meanwhile, the Command assured that it remained prepared to investigate the allegations whenever formal petitions were submitted.
“The Command eagerly awaits the formal submission of petitions concerning the alleged attacks. Each allegation will be subjected to a thorough, impartial and discreet investigation, and appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the law based on the outcome of the investigations,” the statement said.
The Command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, also reminded organisers of large gatherings to comply with relevant provisions of the Public Order Act and obtain the necessary approval to facilitate appropriate security arrangements.
It said the objective was to ensure that public gatherings were conducted peacefully and without compromising the safety of residents.
The police assured the people of the state that it remained committed to maintaining peace, protecting lives and property and ensuring that acts of violence were dealt with irrespective of the political affiliation of the perpetrators or victims.
“The Ebonyi State Police Command remains resolute in its commitment to maintaining peace, protecting lives and property, and ensuring that any act of violence, irrespective of the perpetrator or victim's political affiliation, is dealt with decisively and in accordance with the law,” the Command stated.
