The Police Inspector General, Kayode Egbetokun, told the Rivers State Police Commissioner to get things under control immediately.
Egbetokun gave the order because there were a lot of violent attacks and destruction of government facilities at the secretariats after they were unsealed.
He made it clear that the police are dedicated to keeping the peace, upholding democracy, and promoting unity and progress nationwide.
According to Force PRO Olumuyiwa Adejobi, they opened the secretariats on October 6th, 2024, because the state government swore in elected chairmen.
He said that they decided to open the Local Government Secretariats to stay neutral in the state’s politics and ensure democratic institutions work properly.
He said the Governor Fubara’s outburst was unnecessary and unfair to the law enforcement institutions in Nigeria, especially his attack on the Inspector General of Police.
He said anyone can check out the Inspector General of Police’s career journey and impressive track record.
It’s clear he’s a man of honor, integrity, and focus since he became the 22nd Indigenous Inspector General of Police of Nigeria.
According to him,
“Let us please observe some decorum in our politics in Nigeria. The NPF does not intend to engage in any form of media tussle or war with the person of the Governor of Rivers State, his administration or his political affiliations but will continued to play its role as a neutral body in all forms of political activities undistracted”.
Giving a synopsis of the Rivers LG Elections crisis, the Force PRO said:
“In response to the misinformation circulating in the media space with regards to the actions of the Nigeria Police Force in the Rivers State political arena, particularly regarding the just concluded Rivers State Local Government elections, the Force wishes to debunk the prevailing falsehood of partisanship and reaffirms its neutrality and non-interference in political affairs within the State and the country in general, as the NPF only acted in line with an existing court judgment of the Federal High Court.
“Firstly, the Nigeria Police Force was served with an order of injunction by the Federal High Court made on the 19th of July, 2024, barring the Police from participating in the LG election, deeming it unlawful.
Secondly, the Rivers State High Court issued a counter order on the 4th of September, 2024, directing the Nigeria Police Force and other federal security agencies to provide security at the LG elections.
It should be noted that the NPF was not joined as a party in this suit. And thirdly, the Federal High Court that gave the earlier injunction delivered judgement on 30th September, 2024, nullifying all previous activities so far carried in respect of the LG election and ordered the Police to stay away from any attempt to provide security during the said election”.
“For the information of members of the public, the Force legal section boasts of sound and experienced lawyers who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession, including a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Based on the legal advice received from the Force Legal Office, the IGP ordered the Rivers State Police Command to abide by the ruling of the Federal High Court, and also communicated the same to the Governor of Rivers State via a letter with reference number CH:3514/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.38/260 dated 2nd October, 2024, where the IGP advised the Governor to also abide by the Court ruling in the interest of peace and well-being of the people of Rivers State,” he concluded.
Opinion on Force HQ debunks rumors: Command peace in Rivers state
I understand that the Force PRO is doing his job. As a PRO, you are the image-maker of your organization.
I wish he has restricted his message on the IGP commanding peace in the state, that would have been awesome.
The message on denial of involvements should have come immediately that same night it was made not now. But if there was one, that’s fine.
Peace is all we need now. Thumbs up to the Nigeria Police.