The Rivers State Police Command has taken over all the 23 Local Government Area secretariats.
This is sequel to the regthe death of a policeman and a member of a local security outfit in Eberi-Omuma in Omuma Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday.
Police Public Relation Officer in the state, SP Grace Iringe Koko, confirmed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Tuesday evening.
She said the move was necessary due to the breakdown of law and order in the various Local Government Council Secretariats.
In the early hours of Tuesday (today), Governor Siminalayi Fubara directed all the chairmen to hand over to the Heads of Administration in their respective LGAs as their time in office has expired.
However, some Chairmen remain adamant due to the elongation of their tenure by the Pro-Wike House of Assembly. This led to the invasion of Secretariats by angry youths who are supporters of the Pro-Wike and Pro-Fubara factions.
Speaking further, the PPRO said the Police took over all the 23 Council Secretariat and some critical government infrastructure in the state to forestall more bloodshed and prevent a further breakdown of law and order.
“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,” Koko stated.
Earlier, Fubara met with heads of security agencies at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Get instant and latest news updates via Our WhatsApp Community or Google News online channel.
