The Nigeria Public Relations Officer Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos, CSP Nkeiruka Nwode warned against spreading unverified allegations over the death of Miss Mary Habila noting that it is very necessary for Nigerians to exercise restraint on the issue to avoid misleading the general public.

In a statement on Friday which Weekend Guardian obtained a copy in Abakaliki, Nwode described Habila’s death as a heartbreaking tragedy and expressed condolences to her family, friends and all those affected by the loss.

She urged the public to allow the appropriate authorities to carry out a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation, including an autopsy, stressing that justice for the deceased and fairness to every individual connected with the case must go hand in hand.

“Grief should never become an excuse for speculation, character assassination or the spread of unverified information. No one should be tried and convicted on social media,” she said.

The senior police officer maintained that facts, rather than rumours, should guide public discourse on the matter, adding that due process must be allowed to take its full course.

Nwode also cautioned against the use of the incident to spread defamatory statements or inflame public sentiment, warning that words have consequences and that reputations built over decades should not be destroyed by assumptions or unverified narratives.

According to her, responsibility should prevail over sensationalism, while justice should take precedence over prejudice as investigations continue.

She prayed for God to grant eternal rest to Miss Habila, comfort her family and loved ones, and ensure that truth, justice and peace ultimately prevail.