The Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun on Monday ordered the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command to promptly rise up to the occasion and restore law and order in the state.
Egbetokun gave the order following the spate of violent confrontations and attacks at some local government secretariats leading to destruction of government facilities in the state immediately after the unsealing of the secretariats.
He emphasised the police’s commitment to maintain law and order, uphold democratic principles, and foster peace, unity, and progress across the nation.
A statement by Force PRO Olumuyiwa Adejobi said that IGP gave this order while directing the immediate unsealing of all Local Government Council Secretariats in Rivers State which were previously sealed when violence erupted in the state over who control of the local government secretariat between elected chairmen whose tenure expired and caretaker committee inaugurated by the state government which matter was pending in court.
Adejobi explained that the unsealing secretariats on 6th October 2024 after the police received the report that elected chairmen has been sworn in by the state government. He further averred that the decision to unseal the Local Government Secretariats was informed by the need to maintain neutrality in the political development in the state and allow smooth functioning of democratic institutions.
He said that the misinformation triggered by the unwarranted outburst of the Governor Fubara based on no material fact was totally uncalled for, and unfair to the law enforcement institutions in Nigeria, most especially his verbal attack on the person and office of the Inspector General of Police.
He said the public is free to profile the career journey of the Inspector General of Police, and his track record in every place he has served, which undoubtedly show him as a man of honor, integrity and focus before and after his assumption of office as the 22nd Indigenous Inspector General of Police of Nigeria.
The IGP, he said is well respected in the association of chiefs of police, world wide, particularly in Africa where he is currently serving as the Chairman of the West African Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCCO) and providing meritorious leadership within the West African Chiefs of Police.
According to him, “Let us please observe some decorum in our politics in Nigeria. The NPF does not intend to engage in any form of media tussle or war with the person of the Governor of Rivers State, his administration or his political affiliations but will continued to play its role as a neutral body in all forms of political activities undistracted”.
Giving a synopsis of the Rivers LG Elections crisis, the Force PRO said: “In response to the misinformation circulating in the media space with regards to the actions of the Nigeria Police Force in the Rivers State political arena, particularly regarding the just concluded Rivers State Local Government elections, the Force wishes to debunk the prevailing falsehood of partisanship and reaffirms its neutrality and non-interference in political affairs within the State and the country in general, as the NPF only acted in line with an existing court judgment of the Federal High Court.
“Firstly, the Nigeria Police Force was served with an order of injunction by the Federal High Court made on the 19th of July, 2024, barring the Police from participating in the LG election, deeming it unlawful. Secondly, the Rivers State High Court issued a counter order on the 4th of September, 2024, directing the Nigeria Police Force and other federal security agencies to provide security at the LG elections. It should be noted that the NPF was not joined as a party in this suit. And thirdly, The Federal High Court that gave the earlier injunction delivered judgement on 30th September, 2024, nullifying all previous activities so far carried in respect of the LG election and ordered the Police to stay away from any attempt to provide security during the said election”.
All these orders and counter orders, he said were served on the police, stating that the IGP being a thoroughbred committed to operating within the legal framework forwarded the three court orders to the Force Legal section for advice.
“For the information of members of the public, the Force legal section boasts of sound and experienced lawyers who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession, including a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Based on the legal advice received from the Force Legal Office, the IGP ordered the Rivers State Police Command to abide by the ruling of the Federal High Court, and also communicated the same to the Governor of Rivers State via a letter with reference number CH:3514/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.38/260 dated 2nd October, 2024, where the IGP advised the Governor to also abide by the Court ruling in the interest of peace and well-being of the people of Rivers State,” he concluded.
Linus Aleke
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