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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said officers would continue to barricade all local government secretariats in Rivers State, following the ongoing political tension in the state.
Egbetokun stated this while addressing newsmen on the sidelines of a conference for Commissioners of Police and other senior officers, in Abuja, on Thursday.
He said policemen will not leave the council secretariats until a court judgement on the controversy over the tenure of local government chairmen in the state.
The IGP noted that the presence of police officers was to ensure peace and order and not to intimidate anyone. He reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force on the need for preemptive measures to forestall any escalation of violence.
“The police will continue to occupy the secretariats until a court of competent jurisdiction delivers judgement on the local government crisis in Rivers State,” he said.
The Rivers State Police Command had on Tuesday announced that it had taken over all the council headquarters to forestall further bloodshed and to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
A policeman and a member of a local security outfit were killed during a clash between supporters of the governor and Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, at Eberi-Omuma, in Omuma Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking on the development, the Commissioner for Police in the state, Olatunji Disu, said the council headquarters would remain shut for the time being due to the clash between the contending parties.
Police recrutiment controversy
On the recent controversy surrounding the recruitment of police constables, Egbetokun decribed it as really appalling, highlighting the rigorous standards expected of officers.
Speaking about the allegation of the Police Service Commission (PSC) on the recruitment process, Egbetokun said the police management is wary of recruiting individuals deemed untrainable or unsuitable for duties.
“The Nigeria Police Force is a specialised institution that is not meant for all Nigerians,” he added.