Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Rivers: Egbetokun orders police to unseal 23 LG secretariats

“However, police operatives will be redeployed to these locations in the event of any crises or breakdown of law and order,” said a spokeswoman for the police.

• October 8, 2024
created by photogrid

The inspector general of police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the withdrawal of police officers from the 23 local government council secretariats in Rivers.

The council offices were sealed in June following a dispute over the appointment of caretaker committee chairs by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Tensions escalated when Mr Fubara opposed a tenure extension granted to the former council chairs by a faction of the Rivers House of Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule.

Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the police command in Rivers, announced the withdrawal of police personnel in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday.

“The IGP’s withdrawal of all personnel previously deployed to seal and safeguard the council secretariates was conveyed by the new Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Bala Mustapha,” Ms Iringe-Koko said.

She further explained that the decision reflects the police’s commitment to neutrality and supporting the smooth functioning of democratic institutions.

“However, police operatives will be redeployed to these locations in the event of any crises or breakdown of law and order,” she added.

Ms Iringe-Koko urged residents and politicians to remain calm and law-abiding. 

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Gov Ododo

States

Tinubu advised me never to negotiate with criminals, Gov Ododo says

“I don’t play with criminals, and I don’t negotiate with them. I can tell you that, as far as Kogi State is concerned, we don’t have a department for ransom payment,” he said.

Pete Hegseth

Heading 1

U.S. has spent $37.5 billion on Iran war: Hegseth

“The estimate we have as of today is $37.5 billion,” Mr Hegseth said.

Toba Ajiboye

Lagos

Slain Lagos NURTW organising secretary buried amid tears

Mr Ajiboye died days after he was attacked by gunmen.

Migrants' boat

Africa

144 refugees, migrants dead, missing off Mauritania coast: UNHCR

“The refugees and migrants were reported dead or missing after attempting the perilous sea journey from West Africa towards Europe,” the agency said.

Daniel Ortega and Marco Rubio

World

U.S. govt condemns Ortega’s ban on elections in Nicaragua 

Mr Rubio urged the international community to rise against Mr Ortega’s dictatorship.

Oleksandr Syrskyi

World

Zelensky sacks Ukraine’s top general after firing defence minister

Mr Syrskyi’s dismissal came days after Mr Zelensky fired Ukraine’s defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, a decision that sparked protests across the country.