The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, has ordered police officers to take over the secretariats of the 23 local government areas in the state, reports thegazellenews.com
The order came as a result of breakdown of law and order in the local governments where supporters of the two main political factions in the state have clashed over tenure of local government chairmen in the state.
The clashes have led to the killing of a policeman and a vigilante at Eberi-Omuma in Omuma local government area.
“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,” a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer for Rivers State, SP Grace Iringe-Koko said.
According to her, “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 warns anyone who intends to cause mayhem as police will not hesitate to impose the full weight of the law on them.
Police also wish to ask the law-abiding residents and visitors in the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear. Resolved to carry out the constitutional duty of protecting lives and property”..
