The police have unsealed all 23 Local Government Area (LGA) Secretariats following the successful election and swearing-in of new LGA chairmen. This decision was announced in a statement by Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, on Monday morning.
The directive to unseal the secretariats came from the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, CP Mustapha Bala, in compliance with orders from the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun. Iringe-Koko noted that the police had previously deployed personnel to secure these council offices to maintain order during the election period.
While the unsealing of the secretariats marks a return to normalcy in the local government administration, the statement clarified that police presence would be reinstated if necessary, particularly in the event of any crisis or breakdown of law and order.
The statement reads, “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 evolves.”
