The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered police to leave the 23 sealed local government secretariats in Rivers State. The sites were closed in June over a political dispute.
This directive was announced on Monday in a statement by Grace Iringe-Koko, the Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Command. According to the statement, the decision is based on recent political developments in the state.
“The newly deployed State Commissioner of Police, Bala Mustapha, conveyed the directives of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for the immediate withdrawal of all police personnel previously deployed to seal and safeguard the Local Government Secretariats in the state,” the statement read.
The Nigeria Police said the move supports neutrality and smooth democratic operations. Police will return only if a crisis arises, and emergency steps will be taken if needed.
The Rivers State Command reassured the public of its commitment to maintaining peace and order and urged residents and stakeholders to remain calm and law-abiding as the situation unfolds.
