Victor Ezeja
The Rivers State Police Command has denied allegations that its officers attempted to break into the state’s Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office in Port Harcourt.
Prime Business Africa reports that the state governor, Siminalaiyi Fubara, had visited the RSIEC office around 1am on Friday morning when he heard that police were making attempts to “take over” the premises. His presence and vehement rejection of the action of the police led to their withdrawal.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn a press conference later in the day, the governor said no matter what happens, the local government election must hold in the state on Saturday as scheduled.
He said Rivers State does not need the police to secure the election, adding that other security agencies will do so.
He also accused the Inspector General of Police of taking orders from the immediate past governor of state and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, asserting that the relationship between the IGP and Wike is no longer a professional one.
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Reacting to the governors comments, the Rivers police command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement issued on Friday claimed that the officers were deployed to the RSIEC office based on intelligence reports about plans by hoodlums to carryout arson attack on the facility.
Iringe-koko stated that initially, police officers from the Rivers State Government House were deployed to the RSIEC office but were withdrawn in response to the Federal High Court judgment of 30 September 2024, barring the Police from participating in the elections.
“Conversely, in reaction to credible and actionable intelligence received about plans by hoodlums to carry out an arson attack on the RSIEC office, Police personnel were deployed to secure the premises,” the command spokesperson stated.
She added that “the Rivers State Police Command remain committed to our duty to maintain the peace and ask residents of Rivers State to act within the confines of the law. The Police will do everything to maintain law and order.”
