The Rivers State Police Command has taken control of all 23 local government council secretariats.
This follows incidents of violence and chaos in various council secretariats across the state.
The crisis erupted hours after Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s directive for Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to assume leadership of the council areas, following the expiration of the three-year tenure of elected chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors.
Recall that a recent court ruling recognized a three-man House of Assembly, which annulled the tenure extension granted by the 27-member Assembly loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike.
However, the former chairmen have vowed not to step down.
Reacting to the development via a statement, the police said clashes between supporters of the two political factions resulted in the death of a police officer and a vigilante at Eberi-Omuma, Omuma LGA.
“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,” the statement released Tuesday evening by Police Public Relation Officer in the state, SP Grace Iringe Koko added.
