IGP Egbetokun Justifies Barricade of Rivers’ LG Councils by Police
From PAULINE PODKA, Abuja
The Nigeria Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has justified the barricade of 23 Local Government Areas (LGA) secretariats in Rivers State by the Force.
Egbetokun stated this at a meeting with senior Police officers in Abuja, noting that the barricade was to maintain law and order, not to intimidate anyone.
He stated that the barricade would remain until court delivers judgement on the matter.
It would be recalled that the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, had on Tuesday morning, June 18, 2024, directed heads of local government administration (HLGA) in the 23 LGAs to take over helms of affairs, following the expiration of the tenure of council chairmen.
Meanwhile, the council chairmen in the state had argued that they still have six months tenure elongation following the bill passed into law by the Martins Amawhule-led House of Assembly, that they would not vacate the council.
The insistence of the former council chairmen to remain in office caused serious clash between the two political factions at various councils in the state on Tuesday, June 19, 2024.
The development had claimed lives of two persons, a Police inspector and a local vigilance outfit in Eberi-Omuma, Omuma LGA of the State.
The incident resulted to Police barricading and taking over the LGA secretariats.
However, State Governor, Fubara, in his response to the development while swearing in members of CareTaker Committees (CTC) in the 23 LGAs on June 19, said the newly inaugurated CTC chairmen could operate from anywhere.