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Tinubu orders police to return and provide security to all Rivers LG secretariats
Tinubu gave the order in a statement on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, his special adviser on information and strategy.
On Monday, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered the immediate withdrawal of Police personnel from the 23 Rivers State LG secretariats after over three months of deployment.
However, sudden violence erupted at several local government council secretariats after the withdrawal of the security personnel.
Intel Region reports that suspected “political thugs” believed to be supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, attacked the Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Eleme, and Emohua local government council secretariats on Monday morning, barely 24 hours after Governor Sim Fubara swore in newly elected LG chairmen.
The attackers reportedly barricaded the council entrances and fired shots indiscriminately.
In Bori, Khana LGA, a gunfight broke out after armed men opened fire on members of a political party, leading to an exchange of fire between the attackers and the Police.
In Eleme, arsonists set fire to the local council in an effort to prevent the newly elected chairman from taking office.
Similarly, heavy gunfire was reported in Obio/Akpor LGA, where assailants sought to disrupt the inauguration of councilors by the local government chairman.
Reacting to the development, Tinubu called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara, political leaders and their supporters in Rivers State to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law.
He urged all political actors to de-escalate the situation and discourage their supporters from engaging in violence or destructive actions.
He also directed the police to restore and maintain peace, law, and order immediately.
The statement issued by Onanuga partly reads; “While instructing law enforcement agencies to bring the situation under control, he emphasised the need to ensure the security of public institutions.
“President Tinubu said government facilities built with public funds must be safeguarded from vandalism.
“He stressed that self-help has no place in a democratic system, especially after 25 years of continuous democracy.
According to President Tinubu, the judiciary can settle all political disputes, and the outcome of this election should be no exception.”
