By Asuquo Cletus Felix
The Rivers Police Command, has taken over all the 23 Local Government Area Council Secretariats and some critical government infrastructure in the state.
This is coming following the widespread violence, where supporters of two political factions clashed over the expiration of tenure for Local Government Council Chairmen, which resulted in the death of a police officer and a vigilante in Eberi-Omuma, Omuma LGA.
In a press release posted on X, issued on late Tuesday night by SP Grace Iringe-Koko, Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, it noted that the move became necessary in order to
forestall more bloodshed and prevent a further breakdown of law and order.
According to Iringe, the Police have taken over all the 23 Council Secretariats and some critical government infrastructure in the state.
” Following the breakdown of law and order in the various Local Government Council secretariats in Rivers State where supporters of the two Political factions clashed over the tenure of Local Government Council Chairmen, a case of death was recorded at Eberi-Omuma, Omuma LGA, where a Police officer and a vigilante were killed.
“To forestall more bloodshed and prevent a further breakdown of law and order, the Police have taken over all the 23 Council Secretariats and some critical government infrastructure in the state. Conventional police officers and anti-riot police officers have been deployed to these facilities.” -It reads in part.
Street news had reported that the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara in a state broadcast message, on Tuesday, had ordered Heads Of Local Government Administration, to immediately take charge of Local Government council’s.
The governor had also announced the expiration of tenure for local government chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors.