By Ayomide Oye, IBADAN
Nigeria’s Police Chief, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the unsealing and immediate withdrawal of all police personnel previously deployed to protect property at the 23 local government secretariats in Rivers state.
The directive was sequel to the swearing in of the 23 chairmen who emerged winner in the local government elections held on Saturday,October 5, 2024.
Prompt News reports that the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, had immediately sworn in the council chairmen, 22 of whom are from his proxy political party, Action Peoples Party (APP).
Recall that police personnel were deployed in June to seal all the 23 local council secretariats following breakdown of law and other in the aftermath of controversy surrounding the issue of Caretaker Committees.
In a statement Rivers State police command spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, early Monday morning, said the police will only be redeployed to these locations in the event of any crisis or breakdown of law and order.
The statement by Iringe-Koko, police command spokesperson reads:
“In view of the recent political developments in Rivers State, the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, CP Bala Mustapha hereby convey the directives of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, for the immediate withdrawal of all police personnel previously deployed to seal and safeguard the Local Government Secretariats in the state.
“This decision is in line with the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure neutrality and the smooth functioning of democratic institutions.
“Consequently, the IGP has ordered the unsealing of the Local Government Secretariats, which were earlier secured by police personnel.
“The police will only be redeployed to these locations in the event of any crisis or breakdown of law and order, in which case emergency measures will be swiftly implemented to restore normalcy.
“The Rivers State Police Command assures the public of its readiness to maintain peace and order across the state and will continue to act professionally in discharging its duties.
“We urge all residents and stakeholders to remain calm and law-abiding as the situation evolves.”
Prompt News reports that Governor Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, have been at loggerheads over control of political structure in the oil-rich Rivers State.
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