IG orders continuous barricade of Rivers LG secretariats

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said his men would continue to barricade all local government secretariats in Rivers State amidst the ongoing political tension.

He also said the recent controversy surrounding the recruitment of police constables is really appalling, as he highlighted the rigorous standards expected of officers.

Egbetokun made this known on Thursday in Abuja while addressing journalists on the sidelines of a conference with Commissioners of Police and other senior officers.

He disclosed that policemen will not leave the headquarters until a court judgement on the controversy over the tenure of local government council chairmen in the State.

Egbetokun said the presence of the police officers was to ensure peace and order and not to intimidate anyone. He also reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force on the need for preemptive measures to forestall any escalation of violence.

“The police will continue to occupy the secretariats until a court of competent jurisdiction delivers judgment on the local government crisis in Rivers State,” he said.

The state police command had on Tuesday announced that it had taken over all the council headquarters to forestall further bloodshed and to prevent a breakdown of law and order.”

A policeman and a member of a local security outfit were killed during a clash between supporters of the governor and his predecessor, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, at Eberi-Omuma in the Omuma Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking with The PUNCH on the development, the state Commissioner for Police, Olatunji Disu, said the LG council headquarters would remain shut for the time being due to the clash between the feuding parties.

Police recrutiment controversy

Speaking further, the police boss said the recent controversy surrounding the recruitment of police constables is really appalling, highlighting the rigorous standards expected of officers.

On the allegation from the Police Service Commission (PSC) about the recruitment process, Egbetokun said the police management is wary of recruiting individuals deemed untrainable or unsuitable for police duties.

He said, “The Nigeria Police Force is a specialised institution that is not meant for all Nigerians.”