Police reopen all 23 LGA secretariats in Rivers state
The Rivers State Police Command has unsealed all 23 Local Government Area secretariats following the election and swearing-in of new chairmen.
This was announced by the Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement released to journalists on Monday morning.
She noted that the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, CP Mustapha Bala, acted on the orders of Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, directing the immediate withdrawal of all police personnel previously assigned to seal and secure the council secretariats in the state.
READ ALSO: Showdown looms in Rivers as Wike’s faction allegedly mobilises youths to block council secretariats
The development follows the swearing-in of 23 newly elected local government chairmen by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The ceremony took place at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Sunday, a day after the Rivers State Independent 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
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