River Crisis :Police Take Over 23 Rivers LG secretariats

The Rivers Police Command has taken control of all 23 local government secretariats in the state due to the escalating succession crisis and breakdown of law and order.

This decision was made following violent clashes between supporters of rival political factions over the tenure of local government council chairmen, resulting in the tragic death of a police officer and a vigilante at Eberi-Omuma, Omuma LGA.

READ ALSO: Rivers Crisis: Fubara Orders LGA Administration Heads To Take Over Councils (Full Speech)

According to a statement issued by SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the police have deployed conventional and anti-riot officers to secure the affected areas, including critical government infrastructure. The Command urged all individuals and groups to remain law-abiding and warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the peace would face the full force of the law.

The statement reads: “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.

READ ALSO: River Crisis :Police Take Over 23 Rivers LG secretariats