A policeman and a vigilante operative have lost their lives following the invasion of local government secetariarts in Rivers over alleged plan by chairpersons of the Councils not to vacate office at the expiration of their tenure, the state police Command has said.
DareLasisionline.com reported that the latest crisis started Governor Fubara directed all the local governemt chairment to vacate office and hand over to the Head of Local Government Administrations (HLGAs) to take over. The sacked charimen vowed not to obey Fubara’s directive.
Rivers Police Command said following the breakdown of law and order in the various Local Government Council secretariats where supporters of the two political factions clashed over the tenure of Local Government Council Chairmen, a case of death was recorded at Eberi-Omuma, Omuma Local government area, where a Police officer and a vigilante were killed.
SP Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the Command in a press statement said 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.
She added that conventional police officers and anti-riot police officers have been deployed to these facilities.
While appealing to all groups and individuals to be law-abiding, the Command also warn anyone who intends to cause mayhem the Command will not hesitate to impose the full weight of the law on them.
The Command further asked residents and visitors in the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear as it is resolved to carry out its constitutional duty of protecting lives and property.
