The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has responded to allegations made by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, regarding its involvement in the state’s ongoing local government elections.
In a statement released on Friday, the NPF clarified that its actions were in full compliance with a subsisting Federal High Court order barring police involvement in the election process.
The statement was signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police.
The NPF stressed that the court order had been properly served to both the police and the Rivers State Government and that in accordance with the directive, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) had instructed the Rivers State Commissioner of Police to ensure that the police remained uninvolved in the electoral process.
However, the NPF said it received reports on the evening of October 3, 2024, that officers from the Rivers State Government House had been deployed to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RIEC) to assist in conducting the election.
Upon receiving this information, the police said the IGP directed the Rivers State Police Commissioner to withdraw those officers and replace them with personnel from the Command’s Operations Department.
The statement added that the replacement officers were instructed solely to provide overnight security at the RIEC facility to prevent any potential attacks.
The NPF highlighted that the state had experienced a series of security breaches due to conflicting court orders and reactions from political supporters.
The NPF’s decision to secure the RIEC office overnight, the statement said, was described as a proactive measure based on intelligence reports, and the NPF emphasized that the officers deployed were focused only on protecting the facility.
The statement expressed shock at Fubara’s late-night visit to the RIEC office, where he allegedly confronted officers carrying out lawful duties.
The police also condemned what it called “unfounded accusations” made by the governor against the IGP and the police force.
Furthermore, the NPF criticized the governor’s alleged threats of violence, stating that such actions were unacceptable.
“Threatening to shed blood and burn down the state over a local government election is not something the police can tolerate,” the statement read.
The NPF reiterated its commitment to ensuring peace and security in Rivers State and announced that the IGP had ordered increased police deployment across the state.
Rivers residents were advised to continue with their lawful activities, as the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, would work to prevent any breakdown of law and order