By Joy Yesufu
The Rivers State Police Command has officially unsealed all 23 Local Government Area (LGA) Secretariats, following the election and swearing-in of new chairmen.
This decision was confirmed in a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, earlier on Monday.
The newly deployed Commissioner of Police, CP Mustapha Bala, acting on the orders of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, directed the immediate withdrawal of all police personnel previously assigned to seal and safeguard the council secretariats.
This development comes after Governor Siminalayi Fubara swore in the 23 newly elected local government chairmen at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Sunday following a successful election conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
“In light of recent political developments, CP Bala Mustapha reiterated the IGP’s directive for the withdrawal of police personnel from the Local Government Secretariats as part of the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to uphold neutrality and ensure the smooth functioning of democratic institutions.
“The IGP has stipulated that the police will only return to these locations if there is a crisis or breakdown of law and order, at which point emergency measures will be enacted swiftly to restore normalcy.
“The Rivers State Police Command reassures the public of its commitment to maintaining peace and order throughout the state. Residents and stakeholders are urged to remain calm and law-abiding as the situation develops”, the statement added.
