Police Unseal 23 Rivers LG Secretariats, Withdraw Officers

Police have unsealed 23 Rivers LG secretariats and withdrawn their officers.

Glamtush reports that the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Bala Mustapha, has ordered the immediate unsealing of the secretariats of the 23 local government areas in the state.

This online news platform understands that this follows a directive from the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

In a statement released on Monday by the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, the decision was in compliance with the IGP’s orders.

The unsealing of the secretariats comes just 24 hours after Governor Siminalayi Fubara swore in the newly elected chairmen who emerged from Saturday’s local government elections.

It is worth recalling that the police had sealed the 23 LGA headquarters in July amidst the crisis that followed the controversial tenure extension of the former chairmen. The facilities were manned by police personnel during that period.

The command emphasised that this latest decision aligns with the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to neutrality and the smooth functioning of democratic institutions.

Read the 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