Police deny shooting Senator Magnus Abe

The Rivers Police Command on Sunday denied allegations that its personnel shot and wounded a member of the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Abe.

Its spokesman, Ahmad Muhammad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, (DSP), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt that the police did not release any bullet while dispersing a rally by Save Rivers Movement on Sunday.

He said the group was at the state College of Arts and Science for the rally when they were dispersed because they did not obtain a police permit.

“I can confirm to you that Sen. Magnus Abe was not shot. The police did not expend any single bullet while dispersing the crowd.

“It is not true. The police did not shoot the senator, we only used minimum force to disperse the crowd at the venue of the rally,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the Rivers Government has alleged that Abe was shot by the police at the venue of the rally.


The state Commissioner for information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, made the accusation in a statement on Sunday in Port Harcourt.

“Today’s attack on members of the Save Rivers Movement, a non- governmental association, at the College of Arts and Science, Rumuola, Port Harcourt, Rivers State and especially the unprovoked shooting of Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, the senator representing Rivers South East senatorial district, is a cause for worry and an indication of the length that the Peoples Democratic Party is willing to go to silence opposing views.

“Rivers State Government therefore reiterates its call for the re-deployment of CP Mbu from Rivers State before he turns the state into a graveyard because of his intolerance and unprofessional behaviour,’’ she said.