The Rivers State Police Command has lifted the seal on all 23 Local Government Area Secretariats across the state following the recent election and swearing-in of new chairmen.
This was confirmed in a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, on Monday morning. Acting on the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, CP Mustapha Bala, ordered the immediate withdrawal of officers who had been stationed at the secretariats since June.
The secretariats were initially sealed following a political rift between the Caretaker Committee Chairmen, who aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and the former council chairmen loyal to Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
This action followed the inauguration of 23 newly elected local government chairmen by Governor Fubara at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt, on Sunday. The swearing-in came after elections were held at the grassroots level by the Rivers State Independent National Electoral Commission. The statement read:
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“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.”
With the secretariats now reopened, the focus shifts to effective governance and the smooth operation of local administration across the state.
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