The Cross River State Police Command has dismissed claims circulating on social media that its personnel were involved in the removal of street signposts along Akai Effa Road near Power Line in Calabar on the directive of the state governor.
The Command described the claim as false and misleading, explaining that the activity captured in the viral video was part of an ongoing street naming and house numbering exercise initiated by the Calabar Municipal Local Government Council.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command.
According to the statement, the street naming project has been underway for about a month and was preceded by extensive public sensitisation and awareness campaigns through various media platforms to notify residents and other stakeholders before enforcement commenced.
The police further clarified that the individual seen removing the street sign in the video is not a police officer but an employee of Dernkal Global Resources Ltd, the consulting firm engaged by the Calabar Municipal Local Government Council to carry out the exercise.
The Command explained that police officers present at the location were deployed strictly to provide security for the consultants and ensure the maintenance of law and order throughout the operation.
It stressed that no police officer took part in removing any street signage, contrary to claims made in the viral video.
The Police Command urged members of the public to avoid creating, sharing or promoting false and unverified information capable of causing unnecessary panic or eroding public confidence in government institutions.
Residents were also encouraged to verify information through official channels before circulating it on social media or other platforms.
