The Rivers State Police Command has lifted the seal on all 23 Local Government Area Secretariats in the state following the election and inauguration of new chairpersons.
This was confirmed in a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, earlier on Monday morning.
She stated that the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, CP Mustapha Bala, acting on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the immediate withdrawal of all police personnel previously assigned to secure and seal the council secretariats in the state.
The secretariats were sealed in June due to a dispute between the Caretaker Committee Chairpersons loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the immediate past local government chairpersons, who supported Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
This action followed the swearing-in of 23 newly elected local government chairpersons by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The ceremony took place in the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Sunday, just one day after the Rivers State Independent National Electoral Commission (RSIEC) conducted elections at the grassroots level.
Read Full Statement Below:
POLICE ORDERS UNSEALING OF LGA SECRETARIATS, WITHDRAWAL OF DEPLOYED PERSONNEL WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT
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.
GRACE IRINGE-KOKO (ANIPR),
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
RIVERS STATE POLICE COMMAND.
FOR: THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
OCTOBER 7, 2024