Pregnant woman alleged assault by DPO in Rivers State

A pregnant woman known as Mrs Vivian Charles has alleged that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO ) of Elelewon Police Division, in Obio/Akpor LGA physically assaulted he while at the station to bail her relative on Monday.

The lady, in an interview with Journalists, explained that she went to the station in the company of her husband to enquire why her Uncle was arrested last week Friday when the incident occurred.

She said on getting to the station to at least interface with her uncle and the Investigating Police Officer (IPO).

But the IPO later informed them that the DPO requested to see the parties in the case in his office.

The pregnant woman disclosed that on getting to the DPO’s office, she did not know what the complainant may have told the DPO earlier as the DPO started shouting at her.

She said while the DPO was shouting, she tried to put the record straight only for the DPO to rise from his sit and slapped her in the presence of her husband.

The pregnant woman said she was tempted to retaliate but her husband held her adding that her uncle who had issues with the complainant was later bailed with a huge sum of money.

The lady, however, called on FIDA, human rights and Civil society organizations to come to her aid and ensure that justice was done on the matter, adding that the alleged action of the DPO does not befit his position as a senior police official and bear the good image of the force.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko said that the DPO denied assaulting or slapping anybody but assured to get to the root of the matter.