The Coalition of Concerned Citizens, Indigenes and Non-Indigens Resident In Rivers State has urged President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to redeploy the River State Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph, alleging that the political postures of the police chief has compromised the security of lives and property in the state.
The coalition is asking for full investigations of all the excesses of the commissioner, which has compromised the security of lives and property in the state.
In an open letter to the President, the group said: “The face-off between the incumbent Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu and his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, is one that is negatively impacting on the welfare and wellbeing of the State.
“The impetus and gross disrespect and insubordination of the Commissioner of Police to the Governor of Rivers State, has led to a negative turn of events.
“It is no rumor that there has been noticeable increase in the rate of kidnappings, armed robbery and the likes especially in areas where the usual security earlier deployed has been withdrawn by the Commissioner of Police.”
The CCCINRRS documented recent cases of kidnappings, armed robbery, car snatching among others, saying residents now live in fear.
It particularly mentioned the kidnapping of three National Youth Service Corps members in in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state, saying other corps members are fleeing the state.
According to the group: “All of these incidents were a thing of the past as they were tackled by the Amaechi led administration before the posting of the Police Commissioner to the State.
“We more categorically condemn the public statement made by the Commissioner of Police against the Executive Governor of Rivers State, wherein he called him a dictator.
“This gross misuse and mismanagement of words, and lack of decorum by a highly placed public servant is seriously frowned at. Your Excellency will agree that such statements are capable of heating the polity.
“Your Excellency will also agree that in a democratic dispensation which we operate in Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force is a national and unified force,
“Its administration and organization are the responsibility of the Federal Government and just as the Inspector General of Police is subject to and accountable to the Minister of Internal Affairs, and ultimately, Your Excellency, so also is the Commissioner of Police subject to the authority of the State Governor, who is the Chief Security officer of the State.
“Therefore, we most humbly state without deference that the Public statement of the Commissioner of Police which is a display of insubordination and disrespect to his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, which is highly condemnable, has resulted in the lack of confidence in the person of the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Police Command.”
The group also noted that the present ban on demonstrations of any kind by the Commissioner of Police was unconstitutional and “a gross infringement on the constitutionally recognized rights of the peoples of Rivers State.”
The group noted: “We state that our right to voice our opinions and fears on the state of our welfare, has been silenced and cut off by the present ban on the State by the Commissioner of Police, which we state, is in excess of his powers.”
The group’s demands include: “That in order for the peace and order to be restored in Rivers State, that the Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, be recalled from the State to the Force Headquarters or in the alternative, called to order, to corporate with the Executive Governor of Rivers State in tackling the security situation in the State. This will prevent a breach of the peace, cause further improvement on the security of lives and property, and restore confidence in the Nigeria Police Force in Rivers State which is dwindling and gradually deteriorating.
“That an investigation be carried out by the appropriate Committee of the Federal House of Representatives and Inspector General of Police on the excesses of the Commissioner of Police. This will ensure Rule of Law and furthermore discourage Public Servants in other States of the Federation from acting outside their powers.
“That the National Assembly be invited to debate on the proper administration and control of the Nigeria Police Force by State Governments.”
The coalition, which praised President Jonathan for his firm handling of the security challenges facing the country, urged him “to continue to act decisively by using your constitutional power and authority to execute all relevant aspects of your agenda, because you are God’s elect to the emancipation of the Nigerian peoples.”
The Eagle Online