BY OUR REPORTER
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Ph.D, has directed the newly appointed Commissioner of Police for the Rivers State Police Command, CP Bala Mustapha, to unseal and withdraw all Police operatives deployed to local government secretariats across the state with a view to securing them.
This directive was announced on Monday in a statement by Grace Iringe-Koko, the Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Command.
According to the statement, the order follows recent political developments in Rivers State.
“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. We urge all residents and stakeholders to remain calm and law-abiding as the situation continues to evolve.”
