The Rivers State Police Command on Tuesday announced that its personnel has taken over all the 23 Local Government Area secretariats in the State.
Rivers State Police Public Relation Officer, SP Grace Iringe Koko, said in a statement in Port Harcourt, the State capital that the measure became necessary due to the breakdown of law and order in the various Local Government Council Secretariats across the State.
Youths had on Tuesday invaded the Council Secretariats following the expiration of the tenures of the chairmen who vowed not to leave because the faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had extended their tenures by six months.
However, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, in a broadcast, directed all the chairmen to hand over to the Heads of Administration in their respective LGAs.
Following the directives, supporters of the two Political camps stormed LGAs secretariats, leading to violence in some places. At Eberi-Omuma, Omuma LGA, at least two deaths were recorded when a Police officer and a vigilante were killed.
The full statement titled ‘WE ARE TAKING OVER SECURITY AT ALL 23 LG COUNCIL SECRETARIATS’ reads: “Following the breakdown of law and order in the various Local Government Council secretariats in Rivers State where supporters of the two Political factions clashed over the tenure of Local Government Council Chairmen, a case of death was recorded at Eberi-Omuma, Omuma LGA, where a Police officer and a vigilante were killed.
“To forestall more bloodshed and prevent a further breakdown of law and order, the Police have taken over all the 23 Council Secretariats and some critical government infrastructure in the State. Conventional police officers and anti-riot police officers have been deployed to these facilities.
“While urging all groups and individuals to be law-abiding, the Command also warn anyone who intends to cause mayhem as we will not hesitate to impose the full weight of the law on them.
“We also wish to ask the law-abiding residents and visitors in the State to go about their lawful businesses without fear. We are resolved to carry out our constitutional duty of protecting lives and property.”