Rivers LG Polls: Police Boss Egbetokun Deploys More Officers

Egbetokun Assures Neutral Police Stance in Rivers LG Elections

“The mandate of the men from the Operations Department was to provide overnight security for the RIEC...”

Nigeria Police Force addresses Governor Fubara's allegations, reaffirms neutrality in Rivers State local government elections, citing subsisting court order.

Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has fired back at allegations of police bias in the Rivers State local government elections, set for today. Egbetokun cautioned Governor Siminalayi Fubara against making unsubstantiated claims, following accusations that the police were colluding with the governor's opponents.

The drama unfolded when Fubara intervened in an incident at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission office on Friday morning. He claimed to have foiled an alleged police attempt to remove election materials. This development comes amid existing tensions, as Fubara's leadership of the party in Rivers State has been contested by former governor Wike.

Egbetokun's response emphasizes the need for fairness and impartiality in the electoral process. The police chief's warning to Fubara highlights the sensitive nature of the elections and the importance of avoiding unfounded allegations that could further inflame tensions.

Pointers:

Election Tensions: Rivers State local government elections scheduled for today

Allegations of Police Bias: Governor Fubara accuses police of working with opponents

Police Response: Inspector-General Egbetokun cautions against unsubstantiated claims

Underlying Conflict: Fubara's leadership contested by former governor Wike.

Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun reaffirmed the police force's impartiality and neutrality in the Rivers State local government elections. In a statement released Friday night by Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Egbetokun expressed shock at Governor Siminalayi Fubara's sudden arrival at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission office, stressing that the police are committed to maintaining law and order.

Egbetokun's statement came after Fubara accused him of collaborating with his opponents and alleged that police attempted to remove election materials. However, the police chief clarified that their actions were in line with a subsisting court order, emphasizing their neutrality in the electoral process.

The police have increased deployment to ensure security throughout the state, urging citizens to go about their lawful businesses. This development highlights the tensions surrounding the elections, with various parties having conflicting interests.

The statement titled 'Rivers Elections: NPF Actions In Conformity With Subsisting Court Order, Remains Politically Neutral': “The Nigeria Police Force is addressing Governor Siminalayi Fubara's recent allegations against the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force. The Governor's statements have raised concerns, and the Police Force feels compelled to clarify the facts.

“The Nigeria Police Force has noted with concern the recent statements made by the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, in which several unfounded allegations were leveled against the Office of the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force. In light of these claims, it has become necessary to set the record straight.”

In essence, the Police Force is seeking to correct misinformation and reassure the public of their neutrality in the upcoming Rivers State local government elections. They emphasize adherence to a subsisting Federal High Court order and clarify their actions were aimed at preventing security breaches and ensuring the electoral commission's safety.

“Firstly, it is important to clarify that there is a subsisting Federal High Court order barring the Nigeria Police Force from participating in the Rivers State elections. This order was duly served on both the NPF and the Rivers State Government. As a law-abiding institution, the IGP instructed the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State to strictly adhere to this court order by refraining from any direct involvement in the election process.

“However, in the evening of 3rd October, 2024, the commissioner of police Rivers State, received reports that policemen from Rivers State Government house have been deployed to the office of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RIEC) to aid the conduct of the election. This report was also relayed to the Inspector-General of Police who gave clearance to the Commissioner of Police to withdraw the policemen from the Government house and replace with policemen from the Command Operations department.

“The mandate of the men from the Operations Department was to provide overnight security for the RIEC to prevent any attack on the facility.

“It is also important to note that prior to this, there had been series of security breaches in the state following the spate of court orders and counter orders and reactions to them by supporters of the different political parties involved.

“The response of the Command to secure RIEC overnight was therefore professional and supported by the Inspector-General of Police. For emphasis sake, the policemen deployed to RIEC from the operations department of Rivers State Command on the night of 3rd October, 2024 were with the sole mandate to protect the RIEC office from attack overnight. This action was proactive and responsive to intelligence at the disposal of the State Command.

“To this end, the Inspector-General of Police has ordered increased deployment into Rivers State to beef up security throughout the state. Citizens of Rivers state are advised to go about their lawful businesses.”