The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the reopening of all 23 Local Government Area Secretariats in Rivers State following the election and swearing in of the new chairmen.

The Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, made this known in a statement on Monday, October 7, 2024.

The latest development comes after Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara sworn in 23 newly elected local government chairmen in the state.

The chairmen were sworn in at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Sunday, October 7, a day after the Rivers State Independent National Electoral Commission (RSIEC) conducted the local government election in the state.

Iringe-Koko said the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Bala, acting on the orders of the IGP, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of all police officers previously deployed to seal and safeguard the local government secretariats in the state.

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She stated: “In view of the recent political developments in Rivers State, the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, CP Bala Mustapha hereby convey the directives of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, for the immediate withdrawal of all police personnel previously deployed to seal and safeguard the Local Government Secretariats in the state.

“This decision is in line with the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure neutrality and the smooth functioning of democratic institutions.

“Consequently, the IGP has ordered the unsealing of the Local Government Secretariats, which were earlier secured by police personnel.

“The police will only be redeployed to these locations in the event of any crisis or breakdown of law and order, in which case emergency measures will be swiftly implemented to restore normalcy.

“The Rivers State Police Command assures the public of its readiness to maintain peace and order across the state and will continue to act professionally in discharging its duties.”

The police spokesperson also enjoined all residents and stakeholders in Rivers State to remain calm and law-abiding “as the situation evolves”.

The Star