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Policemen withdrawn from Rivers LG secretariat following three-month siege

The withdrawal of policemen from the 23 local government areas in Rivers State has been ordered by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

A disagreement between the Caretaker Committee Chairmen loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the immediate past local government chairmen, loyalists of Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory resulted in the secretariat being sealed in June.

Speaking on Monday, the Public Relations Officer of Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, announced the withdrawal of all police personnel previously deployed to seal and safeguard the secretariat.

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

“Consequently, the IGP has ordered the unsealing of the Local Government Secretariat, which were earlier secured by police personnel. The police will only be redeployed to these locations in the event 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 across the state 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 continues to evolve,” she said.

Daily Sun reported Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s swearing-in of the newly elected local government chairmen on Sunday.

The development was revealed in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo.

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