Inspector General of Police orders 22 LG council in Rivers state sealed

                 

The IGP, Solomon Arase ordered the state command of Nigeria police in Rivers State to seal all 22 Local Council Secretariat, which were affected by a Court ruling this week,following the sack of the LG chairmen by the High Court,The Gov of Rivers State Appointed a caretaker committee in place to fill the vacuum.
Following the swearing-in of the caretaker committee, Police officer moved in less than 24 hours to seal all the 22 Local Councils Secretariat, on the order of the Inspector General  of Police as carried out by Rivers State Commissioner of Police Chris Ezike.
Governor Wike who disclosed the IGP order shortly after the Inauguration of the Rivers State Judiciary Service Commission RSJSC and the Rivers State Independent Electoral commission, RSIEC  said


 “We were informed this morning that armed policemen have taken over the local government councils. When I inquired, they said it was a directive from the Inspector General of Police.
“Yesterday (Thursday), we swore-in 22:caretaker committee chairman after the federal high court nullified the so-called May 23, local government election.
“We did not dissolve the local government councils as been highly speculated. We followed due process. We refused all pressures to dissolve the councils as some states had done. So, we are surprised to be informed this morning that the gates of the councils have been locked. And armed policemen who have taken over are insisting no one can go inside the councils.
“As you can see, this is the change they are talking about. Is this the we have been expecting in the country as we have seen this morning.
“We woke up only to be informed that armed policemen have taken over the councils on the orders of the Inspector-General of Police and that no one should be allowed to enter the secretariat. I expect the police to obey court orders.
“I advise all Rivers people to remain patient and calm and not to take laws into their hands. This is the period of temptation and intimidation and we are going to overcome it,” the governor said.