The Nigeria Police Force has unsealed the 23 local government councils’ secretariats in Rivers State, and withdrew its personnel deployed to the areas.
This is coming less than 24 hours after the swearing in of the 23 duly elected council chairmen by the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Saturday.
It would be recalled that the headquarters of the 23 LGA across the state had been taken over in June this year, by the Police Force at the wake tenure elongation crisis between immediate past LGA chairmen loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Woke and Governor Fubara.
However, the newly deployed State Commissioner of Police, CP Bala Mustapha, announced the reopening and withdrawal of Police personnel on Monday, following a directive from the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police (SP), in a statement, said the decision of the Force is to ensure neutrality amd smooth running of democracy in Rivers.
The statement read: “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, 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.”
Police, however, stated that a similar action would be taken in the event of any breakdown of law and order until normalcy is restored.
The command assured members of the public if its readiness to measure law and order across the state in a professional manner.
“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 continues to evolve.”
