Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police personnel from the secretariats of the 23 local government areas (LGAs) in Rivers State.
The officers had been deployed earlier to “seal and safeguard” the secretariats amidst political rivalry within the state.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the Rivers State Police spokesperson, made the announcement on Monday, stating that the newly appointed State Commissioner of Police, Bala Mustapha, conveyed the IGP’s directive.
The police personnel were originally deployed to the secretariats in June, as tensions escalated between caretaker committee chairpersons loyal to Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara and those aligned with Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Iringe-Koko said, “The directive is in line with the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure neutrality and the smooth functioning of democratic institutions.”
The order comes shortly after Fubara swore in 23 newly elected local government chairpersons. Previously, Governor Fubara had accused the IGP of acting under the influence of Wike, a claim the police denied.
The political rift between Governor Fubara and Minister Wike, both key figures in Rivers politics, continues to cause friction.
As the situation unfolds, the police has assured the public of their commitment to maintaining peace, stating that officers will only return if there is a crisis or breakdown of law and order.
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