In response to escalating tensions between political groups in Rivers State, the police have taken control of all 23 council secretariats and several key government infrastructures. This action aims to prevent further violence and maintain law and order amid the crisis surrounding the tenure of outgoing local government chairmen.
The intervention follows a violent clash between two political factions in the Eberi-Omuma community, which resulted in the deaths of a police officer and a vigilante member. The disagreement over the tenures of the outgoing chairmen sparked the confrontation.
SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, confirmed the deployment of operatives to maintain peace across all 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs). She stated:
“Operatives have been deployed to uphold peace in all the 23 Local Government Areas (LGA). The clash between the two political factions, sparked by disagreement over the chairmen’s tenures, resulted in the deaths of a police officer and a vigilante member in Eberi-Omuma community.”
To prevent further unrest, the police have taken over the council secretariats and other critical government facilities. Anti-riot police officers have also been stationed at the various council headquarters to ensure order.
The police spokesperson urged partisan groups to adhere to the law and assured residents that the police command is effectively managing the situation to prevent any breakdown of law and order in the LGA headquarters.