The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has issued a directive for the immediate withdrawal of all police personnel from the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
This order follows a prolonged dispute between the Caretaker Committee Chairmen loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the immediate past local government chairmen, who were aligned with Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The local government secretariats in the state had been sealed since June as a result of this disagreement.
The tensions between the factions loyal to Governor Fubara and those loyal to former Governor Wike escalated, leading to a political standoff that resulted in police intervention.
The police had been deployed to secure the local government secretariats during the period of the conflict. However, recent developments have shifted the approach of law enforcement in the state.
On Monday, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, announced that the new Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Bala Mustapha, had communicated the directives from IGP Kayode Egbetokun for the immediate removal of all police officers stationed at the sealed local government secretariats. This marked a significant turning point in the standoff.
Iringe-Koko explained that the decision was made in line with the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to maintaining neutrality and supporting the smooth operation of democratic institutions.
The police, according to her, are determined to avoid any perception of partisanship in the ongoing political disputes in the state.
She further elaborated on the IGP’s directives: “Consequently, the IGP has ordered the unsealing of the Local Government Secretariat, 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 IGP’s order to withdraw the police from the local government secretariats signals an effort to de-escalate the situation and restore normal political processes without the interference of security forces.
The police emphasized that they would return to these locations only in cases where there is a threat to peace or security, ensuring that their presence is solely for the purpose of maintaining law and order, not taking sides in political conflicts.
Iringe-Koko reassured the public that the Rivers State Police Command remains fully prepared to maintain peace and security throughout the state.
She also stressed the professionalism of the police force in handling the ongoing political situation, stating, “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.”
The timing of this development is notable, as it comes just hours after Governor Siminalayi Fubara officially swore in the newly elected local government chairmen.
The swearing-in of the new chairmen further highlights the resolution of the political deadlock that had plagued the local government areas for months.
Governor Fubara had previously accused the IGP of siding with his political opponents during the crisis. These allegations were firmly denied by the police, who maintained that their actions were strictly in line with their mandate to maintain law and order.
The police also cautioned political figures in the state to be careful with their public statements, reminding them of the importance of not inciting further tensions or making unsubstantiated accusations that could undermine public confidence in law enforcement.
The withdrawal of police personnel from the local government secretariats and the unsealing of these offices represent a critical step in resolving the political impasse that has engulfed Rivers State.
While the police have assured residents that they remain vigilant and prepared to respond to any crisis, the hope is that the state can now move forward with normal governance processes, without the looming presence of security forces in local government matters.
As the situation in Rivers State continues to develop, the focus will likely shift to how the newly elected local government officials will navigate their roles in light of the ongoing political complexities in the state.
For now, the police have made it clear that their primary responsibility is to uphold peace and order, not to interfere in political disputes, and they will redeploy only in cases of emergency.
