BREAKING: Thugs raze another LG headquarters in Rivers

Political thugs have razed a section of the Ikwerre Local Government Council secretariat.

This unfortunate incident follows a similar attack at the Eleme Local Government Council secretariat, which was reported earlier today by Newsband Newspaper.

The attack comes shortly after Dr Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police ordered immediate withdrawal of police operatives from the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.

Recall that the 23 LG secretariat were sealed in June over a political dispute between the Caretaker Committee Chairmen loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the immediate past local government chairmen, subservient to the controversial FCT Minister, Barrister Nysom Wike.

The spokesperson of Rivers state police command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko said the newly deployed commissioner of police in the state, CP Bala Mustapha, transmitted the directives of the Inspector General of Police for the immediate withdrawal of all police officers previously drafted to seal and safeguard the secretariat.

Koko said the decision was in line with the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure neutrality and the smooth functioning of democratic institutions.

“Consequently, the IGP has ordered the unsealing of the Local Government Secretariat, which were earlier secured by police personnel. The police will only be redeployed to these locations in the event of any crisis or breakdown of law and order, in which case emergency measures will be swiftly implemented to restore normalcy.

“The Rivers State Police Command assures the public of its readiness to maintain peace and order across the state and will continue to act professionally in discharging its duties. We urge all residents and stakeholders to remain calm and law-abiding as the situation continues to evolve,” she stated

Meanwhile, at the time of filing this report, no arrest have been made, and the police authorities in Rivers are yet to issue an official statement in respect to the sad development.

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