Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun on Monday directed the Commissioner of Police for Rivers State to immediately restore law and order following violent confrontations at local government secretariats. The incidents, which led to the destruction of government properties, erupted shortly after the secretariats were unsealed.
The directive comes after tensions flared over control of the secretariats between outgoing elected chairmen and a caretaker committee installed by the state government, with the matter still pending in court. Egbetokun emphasized the police’s commitment to maintaining law, upholding democratic principles, and fostering peace and unity in Rivers State.
A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed that the IGP had instructed the immediate unsealing of all local government secretariats in the state, which were previously sealed due to the violence. The secretariats were reopened on October 6, 2024, following reports that the elected chairmen had been sworn in by the state government.
Adejobi explained that the decision to unseal the secretariats was informed by the need for neutrality in the state’s political developments and to allow the smooth functioning of democratic institutions. He criticized Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s reaction to the events, calling it based on misinformation and unsubstantiated claims. Governor Fubara had earlier accused the police of partisanship and interference.
Adejobi defended the IGP’s integrity and neutrality, highlighting his exemplary service record, which has earned him respect on a global scale. As the current Chairman of the West African Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCCO), Egbetokun is providing leadership to police forces across the region. The Force PRO urged political actors to maintain decorum in their engagements, emphasizing that the police would not be drawn into any political conflicts but would continue to act in a neutral capacity.
Providing an overview of the Rivers State LG elections crisis, Adejobi noted that the police were acting based on legal advice and existing court rulings. He outlined the sequence of events, beginning with a Federal High Court injunction on July 19, 2024, barring the police from participating in the elections, which was countered by a Rivers State High Court ruling on September 4, 2024, directing the police to provide security. A subsequent Federal High Court ruling on September 30, 2024, nullified the previous activities and again ordered the police to refrain from involvement.
In response, the IGP forwarded these court orders to the Force Legal Section for expert advice. Following legal consultations, the police chose to abide by the Federal High Court’s ruling, advising the Rivers State government to do the same in the interest of peace.
This move highlights the IGP’s commitment to operating within the legal framework and ensuring that law enforcement remains neutral in political matters. The police continue to uphold their constitutional duty to protect lives and property, while ensuring that democratic institutions function without interference.
Keywords: IGP Egbetokun, Rivers State, local government elections, police neutrality, political violence, Governor Fubara, court rulings, unsealing of secretariats, Nigeria politics
