The Rivers State Police Command has refuted claims of halting a scheduled procession in honor of the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, known as Mohbad, in Port Harcourt on Saturday.
The police insisted that the procession took place without interruption.
Some residents of Port Harcourt and fans of the late singer had alleged that the police obstructed the candlelight procession to honor the musician in the city.
It was reported that, despite a directive canceling the #Justice for Mohbad procession, some residents gathered at an alternate location but eventually dispersed due to a low turnout.
One of the organizers, identified as Gbemisola, denied the police’s version of events, stating that the State Commissioner of Police had initially invited him to his office and asked him to cancel the procession.
Gbemisola expressed disappointment, as the organizers had officially applied for and received police approval for the event.
He explained that even after agreeing to suspend the planned procession to avoid disturbing public peace, they had chosen an alternative venue for a candlelight and tribute concert for the late singer.
However, they were surprised when they were informed that the Department of State Services (DSS) had instructed them not to gather at all.
He stated, “We came to honor him (Mohbad) and give him our last respects.
We wrote to the police; they received the letter, stamped it, and everything.”
“So, the Commissioner of Police called me to his office and said we shouldn’t hold it or do any procession on the street.
We decided to relocate it to a confined space at Edy’s Wine Bar in GRA to avoid disturbing public peace.”
“We issued a press statement and sent out a new graphic design for Saturday.
However, this evening, I heard that the DSS was at Edy’s Wine Bar, telling us not to gather tomorrow.”
In contrast, the spokesperson for the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disputed the organizers’ claims, asserting that the procession occurred without interruption.
Iringe-Koko added that even though the organizers had not formally applied for approval, the Command had provided security led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations.
She emphasized that any suggestion that the police had stopped the rally aimed to cast the force in a negative light, stating, “Police did not halt any rally or prevent anyone from protesting.
They conducted it successfully, with police providing security. The disruption was caused by rain.”
