By Seyi Babalola
Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police, has ordered the immediate evacuation of police officers who were previously deployed to shut off Rivers State’s 23 local government areas.
The Rivers State Command’s Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, issued a statement on Monday announcing this decision.
According to the statement, the decision was issued in response to recent political developments in Rivers State.
“The newly deployed State Commissioner of Police, Bala Mustapha, conveyed the directives of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for the immediate withdrawal of all police personnel previously deployed to seal and safeguard the Local Government Secretariats in the state.”
The statement emphasized that the decision “is in line with the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure neutrality and the smooth functioning of democratic institutions.”
It was also said that personnel would only be redeployed to those locations if there was a crisis or breakdown in law and order, at which case emergency measures would be quickly adopted to restore normalcy.
he Rivers State Command reassured the public of its sustained commitment to ensuring peace and order throughout the state, while emphasizing its professionalism in carrying out its duties. Residents and stakeholders were advised to remain calm and law-abiding while the scenario unfolded.
