The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the immediate unsealing of local government secretariats across the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Rivers State, following widespread condemnation of the force’s involvement in the recently concluded local government elections.
The directive was communicated on Monday through a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Command, Grace Iringe-Koko. The statement explained that the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, CP Bala Mustapha, has been instructed to oversee the withdrawal of police officers who were stationed to seal and secure the LGA secretariats.
“This decision reflects the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to impartiality and its aim to ensure the smooth functioning of democratic institutions,” the statement read.
The secretariats were originally sealed in response to political tensions sparked by the extension of tenure for former council chairmen aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The extension was challenged by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who appointed caretaker committee (CTC) chairmen to take over. This clash prompted the Inspector General to order the closure of the secretariats to prevent further conflict.
As a result of the sealing, local government workers and the appointed CTC chairmen were unable to access the council offices, bringing administrative activities in the affected LGAs to a halt.
With the IGP’s new order to unseal the secretariats, the Rivers State Police Command has clarified that officers will only be redeployed to these locations if there is a crisis or breakdown of law and order. “In the event of an emergency, swift measures will be taken to restore normalcy,” the statement added.
The police also reassured the public of their commitment to maintaining peace and order, urging residents to remain calm and law-abiding.
Following this development, the newly sworn-in council chairmen are expected to officially resume duties in their respective LGAs today, where they will also oversee the swearing-in of the newly elected councillors.
