Explosions Rocks Some LGAs In Rivers

Few hours after the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun ordered that the secretariat of the 23 LGs in Rivers states be unsealed and the immediate withdrawal of policemen who had occupied the council since July, fresh explosions and protests on Monday rocked some local government areas of the state.

Already the secretariat of the Eleme LGA in the state is on fire, as buildings and vehicles were set ablaze following an explosion from a device suspected to be dynamite.

In Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA protesters invaded the council headquarters in Omoku, not allowing the newly sworn-in chairman to resume office.

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Monday morning, directed the immediate withdrawal of Policemen from the 23 local government areas.

The secretariats were sealed in June following the disagreement between the Caretaker Committee Chairmen loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the immediate past local government chairmen, who were loyalists of Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The State Police Command, Police Public Relations Officer of Rivers, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the newly deployed Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Bala Mustapha, conveyed the directives of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for the immediate withdrawal of all police personnel previously deployed to seal and safeguard the secretariat.

Koko said the decision was in line with the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure neutrality and the smooth functioning of democratic institutions.

The statement reads in part: “Consequently, the IGP has ordered the unsealing of the Local Government Secretariat, which was earlier secured by police personnel. The police will only be redeployed to these locations in case 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 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”.