Rivers Police Dismiss Viral Herdsmen Attack Reports, Calm Residents Urged
Oluwafunbi Bello 
RIVERS, Nigeria – The Rivers State Police Command has firmly denied social media claims that Fulani herdsmen attacked local communities, describing the reports as false and capable of causing unnecessary tension.
Police Public Relations Officer SP Grace Iringe-Koko said in a statement on Wednesday that the Command had no record or evidence supporting the alleged attacks.
“The reports are entirely false, misleading, and designed to incite panic among the public,” Iringe-Koko warned, stressing that attempts to exploit ethnic narratives for disruption would not be tolerated.
The clarification follows a viral video depicting young men, purportedly Fulani, being assaulted in a bush area, which heightened public concern despite lacking verified context.
Under Commissioner of Police Olugbenga A. Adepoju, the Command reassured residents of ongoing patrols, surveillance, and tactical deployments to maintain law and order. Citizens are urged to rely solely on official channels for security updates.
“The Rivers State Police remain committed to transparent policing and monitoring developments across all communities,” the statement added.
Authorities emphasised calm vigilance and stressed that sharing unverified content can fuel fear and harm the state’s reputation.
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