Rivers LG Election: Why we deployed personnel to RSIEC – Police

The Rivers State Police Command has clarified the reasons for its operatives’ presence at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) in the early hours of Friday.

According to a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, officers were deployed to the RSIEC to thwart a potential arson attack, based on intelligence reports received by the Police.

Iringe-Koko issued this explanation in response to allegations made by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who accused Police operatives of attempting to break into the RSIEC office to steal sensitive election materials intended for the state’s local government elections.

She further clarified that officers from the Rivers State Government House, who had initially been stationed at RSIEC, were withdrawn in compliance with a Federal High Court ruling on September 30, 2024, which barred the Police from participating in the scheduled elections.

In a statement titled “UPDATE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS IN THE STATE,” Iringe-Koko reiterated the Police Command’s commitment to maintaining law and order, urging residents to adhere to the law.

The statement read: “The attention of the Rivers State Police Command has been drawn to the incident today, where Governor Siminalaiyi Fubara alleged that the Police were at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to cart away sensitive electoral materials meant for the Local Government Elections.

“It should be noted that Policemen from the Rivers State Government House were initially deployed to RSIEC but were withdrawn in response to the Federal High Court ruling of September 30, 2024, barring Police involvement in the elections. However, following credible intelligence about plans by hoodlums to attack the RSIEC office, Police personnel were deployed to secure the premises.

“The Rivers State Police Command remains committed to maintaining peace and urges residents to act within the confines of the law. We will do everything necessary to uphold law and order.”