Omiete Joseph
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the immediate withdrawal of policemen blocking the local government secretariats I’m Rivers state.
In a letter made available to Journalists, Monday morning, the Police Public Relations Officer, Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the decision is to ensure neutrality and smooth functioning of democratic institutions.
Iringe-Koko who signed the statement on behalf of the recently deployed Commissioner of Police in the state, Bala Mustapha, said police will return to the secretariats when there is suspected breakdown of law and order.
“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. 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 Police however, assured 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”, Iringe-Koko added.
It would be recalled that the IGP ordered the sealing of the secretariats following crisis on tenureship of the Chairmanship at the councils which resulted to violence.
The IGP have also been widely criticised for allegedly taking side in the crisis between the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and his godfather, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.