The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed an alleged assault and robbery of a serving officer by a mob of youths in Nkpolu community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
A viral video showed Inspector Joshua Nyian, attached to Woji Division, being beaten after the youths accused him of taking banned substances.
Police spokesperson SP Grace Iringe-Koko said the incident occurred on August 24 at about 10:20 a.m. while Nyian was returning from duty and stopped to visit a female acquaintance reportedly pregnant for him.
She explained that the Nkpolu youth president, community chairman, and about 20 youths confronted him, assaulted him, and seized his police ID card and mobile phone. The mob allegedly filmed the incident and forcefully collected ₦78,000 from him.
Nyian, in his statement, alleged the attack may have been driven by personal grievances, claiming the youth president had earlier made advances toward his girlfriend.
Iringe-Koko said the officer’s statement was documented, and a medical form was issued for treatment, adding that efforts were underway to identify and arrest those responsible.
“The command urges community leaders to caution their youths against taking the law into their own hands,” she said, assuring that justice would be served.
