In response to widespread condemnation, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has directed the immediate unsealing of the local government area (LGA) secretariats across Rivers State. The directive was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday by Grace Iringe-Koko, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Command.
The order follows the appointment of CP Bala Mustapha as the new Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, who is tasked with overseeing the withdrawal of police personnel initially deployed to seal the secretariats.
This move comes after the political tension caused by the controversial extension of tenure for council chairmen aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, which clashed with Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s appointment of caretaker committee chairmen. The secretariats had been sealed to prevent access during the dispute, hindering council operations.
The police clarified that they would only redeploy personnel to these locations in case of a crisis. Meanwhile, the 23 newly sworn-in council chairmen are expected to resume duties today, including the swearing-in of the newly elected councillors.
The police assured the public of their commitment to peace and urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding.
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