The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police personnel from the 23 local government secretariats in Rivers State. This move comes after a long-standing political conflict between factions loyal to the current governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and those aligned with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In June, the secretariats were sealed following disputes between the appointed Caretaker Committee Chairmen under Governor Fubara and the outgoing local government chairmen loyal to Wike. Tensions ran high as both sides sought to assert control over the local governance structures.
On Monday, the Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the directive, stating that the newly deployed Commissioner of Police for the state, CP Bala Mustapha, conveyed IGP Egbetokun’s instructions for the immediate withdrawal of police officers stationed at the secretariats. The officers were previously deployed to secure the premises amidst the political tussle.
In her statement, Iringe-Koko explained that the decision aligns with the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to maintaining neutrality and ensuring the smooth functioning of democratic institutions. “The IGP has ordered the unsealing of the Local Government Secretariats, which were earlier secured by police personnel,” she said. “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.”
Iringe-Koko reassured the public of the police force’s readiness to maintain peace and order across the state. She added that the Rivers State Police Command would continue to act professionally and impartially while discharging its duties. “We urge all residents and stakeholders to remain calm and law-abiding as the situation continues to evolve,” she concluded.
The directive came just hours after Governor Fubara swore in newly elected local government chairmen, replacing the Wike loyalists. Governor Fubara, who has faced mounting opposition from political allies of the former governor, had previously accused the IGP of taking sides in the dispute. In a heated statement, he claimed that the police actions were politically motivated and aimed at undermining his administration.
However, the Nigeria Police Force quickly dismissed these allegations, asserting that its actions were guided by law and driven by the need to prevent violence and safeguard public property. The police warned politicians to exercise caution in their public statements, urging them to avoid inflaming an already volatile situation.
