The Rivers State Police Command has denied allegations that its personnel tried to break into the RSIEC office along Aba road, Port Harcourt.
In a statement signed by the Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, the Command claimed they were acting on intelligence reports about an impending arson attack on the facility and thus sent officers to secure the facility.
“It should be noted that Policemen from the Rivers State Government House were initially deployed to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) but were withdrawn in response to the Federal High Court ruling of September 30, 2024, barring the Police from participating in the scheduled elections,” Iringe-Koko, said.
“Conversely, in reaction to credible and actionable intelligence received about plans by hoodlums to carry out an arson attack on the RSIEC office, Police personnel were deployed to secure the premises.
“The Rivers State Police Command remain committed to our duty to maintain the peace and ask residents of Rivers State to act within the confines of the law. The Police will do everything to maintain law and order.”
Full statement below:
UPDATE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS IN THE STATE.
The attention of the Rivers State Police Command has been drawn to the incident of today where the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalaiyi Fubara, GSSRS alleged that the Police in Rivers State were at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to cart away sensitive electoral materials meant for the Local Government Elections.
It should be noted that Policemen from the Rivers State Government House were initially deployed to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) but were withdrawn in response to the Federal High Court ruling of September 30, 2024, barring the Police from participating in the scheduled elections. Conversely, in reaction to credible and actionable intelligence received about plans by hoodlums to carry out an arson attack on the RSIEC office, Police personnel were deployed to secure the premises.
The Rivers State Police Command remain committed to our duty to maintain the peace and ask residents of Rivers State to act within the confines of the law. The Police will do everything to maintain law and order.
SP GRACE IRINGE-KOKO ANIPR,
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
RIVERS STATE POLICE COMMAND.
04/10/2024