By Halimah Olamide
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police personnel previously deployed to Rivers States’ 23 local government areas.
This was announced in a statement by the Public Relations Officer, the Rivers State Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, on Monday.
This is following the conclusion of the Rivers State local government election which held on Saturday and other political developments in the state.
NPO Reports that the State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, swore in the 23 newly elected local government chairmen yesterday.
“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 move is in line with the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure neutrality and the smooth functioning of democratic institutions.
According to the statement, personnel will only be redeployed to the areas if there was a crisis or breakdown of law and order.