In a significant move following recent political developments, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police personnel from all 23 Local Government Area (LGA) Secretariats in Rivers State.
The directive was announced by Grace Iringe-Koko, the Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Command, on Monday.
This decision comes after the election and swearing-in of new local government chairmen, which occurred on Sunday at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House in Port Harcourt. The police had previously sealed off the secretariats in June due to a conflict between caretaker committee chairmen loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and past chairmen aligned with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The newly deployed State Commissioner of Police, Bala Mustapha, emphasized that the withdrawal aims to maintain the neutrality of the Nigeria Police Force and support the smooth functioning of democratic institutions. While the secretariats have been unsealed, police personnel may be redeployed in the event of a crisis or breakdown of law and order.
The Rivers State Police Command assured the public of its commitment to maintaining peace and order while urging residents and stakeholders to remain calm and law-abiding during this transitional period.
