JamzNG Latest News, Gist, Entertainment in Nigeria
By Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Kogi Police Command has dismissed charges relating to the arrest of a social media user, Elijah Olorunsuwa, over a post regarding the Kabba-Olle-Iluke road project.
Police insisted that the arrest followed a formal petition by the state government and that the suspect had not been harassed or illegally detained.
The Command, in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, reacted to a report written by Omoyele Sowore, Editor of Sahara Reporters, regarding the matter and the role allegedly played by the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Bello Kankarofi.
According to police, the publication contained information that did not accurately reflect the circumstances surrounding Olorunsuwa’s arrest, prompting the command to “set the record straight” and present what it described as “the facts of the case”.
The Command said Olorunsuwa was arrested on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in Ilorin, Kwara State, following a formal petition received by the Kogi State Government over what it described as false and misleading information posted on a social media platform regarding a government-sponsored project.
“The Command wishes to clarify that some of the information contained in the said publication is inaccurate and does not reflect the circumstances of the matter. The Command believes it is necessary to set the record straight and provide the public with the facts of the case.”
He was later taken to Lokoja for investigation, where, according to police, he gave a statement regarding the publication.
Police said during investigations, Olorunsuwa voluntarily wrote and personally signed a letter of apology to the Kogi State Government for his publication regarding the construction of Kabba-Olle-Iluke road.
“The arrest in question was made following a formal petition received by the Kogi State Government against one Mr. Elijah Olorunsuwa, who posted false and misleading information on a social media platform regarding a project sponsored by the state government.
Following the petition, the suspect was arrested on Wednesday 16/9/2026 in Ilorin, Kwara State and taken to Lokoja for investigation. During investigation, after recording his statement, the suspect voluntarily wrote a letter of apology to the Kogi State Government which he personally signed on the false publication posted on the platform regarding the construction of Kabba-Olle-Iluke road.
In the letter titled “Retraction and Apology to the Kogi State Government for my publication on the Kabba-Olle-Iluke Road”, the suspect reportedly explained that he had earlier claimed that the construction of the road would be sponsored by the World Bank based on information available to him at the time.
He later acknowledged that further information had established that the construction of the road was a Kogi State Government project.
The police quoted him as saying: “Recent information has however confirmed that the said road construction is an exclusive project of the Kogi State Government.”
Olorunsuwa, according to the Command, also apologized to the state government, saying his earlier publication was not intended to embarrass the government.
The Command further stated that the suspect was released later that day on administrative bail to one Mr Ojo Johnson, with orders to report to the police the following morning, September 17, to assist in the ongoing investigation.
He stressed that “at no time was he harassed, intimidated, detained or had his rights violated”, rejecting suggestions that the handling of the matter amounted to an abuse of police powers.
The Command also expressly denied that CP Kankarofi played the role suggested in the publication, describing the Commissioner as a disciplined and professional police officer with a history of service and respect for human rights.
“The reference to the police commissioner in the publication does not reflect the circumstances of the matter,” the statement said.
He added that Kankarofi had served in the Nigeria Police Force “meritoriously with integrity and an unblemished record”, while stressing that his commitment to professionalism and human rights was well established.
The Police Command urged citizens to ignore what it described as inaccurate narratives spread on social media, while calling on journalists and social media users to verify information before publishing.
The Command said responsible information sharing is essential to prevent disinformation and maintain public trust in institutions.
“The Command advises the public to debunk inaccurate narratives circulating on social media and urges media professionals and social media users to always fact-check before posting to promote responsible information sharing and avoid misinformation.”
It reiterated its commitment to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities and maintain collaboration with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to protect lives and properties across Kogi State.
Post views:
184
