In the wake of the upheavals that greeted the expiration of the tenures of the local government chairmen in Rivers State, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says it has asserted security governance across the 23 local government councils.

Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko announced this on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 via a press release made available to the Media in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

She disclosed that a police officer and a vigilante were killed in the course of the crisis in Eberi-Omuma in Omuma LGA of the State, informing that Police operatives have been deployed to the 23 local government council secretariats to pre-empt any further breakdown of law and order.

“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.”

The State Police Command warned trouble makers to be wary of their antics as it would not hesitate to deal with such persons, urging residents of the State to be law-abiding and go about their normal businesses without fear.

“While urging all groups and individuals to be law-abiding, the Command also warn anyone who intends to cause mayhem as we will not hesitate to impose the full weight of the law on them.

“We also wish to ask the law-abiding residents and visitors in the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear. We are resolved to carry out our constitutional duty of protecting lives and property.”

Some of the outgone Local Government Chairmen had latched on to the Rivers State Local Government Law 2018, which amendment by some former lawmakers led by Martins Amaewhule was quashed by a High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, to threaten to continue in office.

The vituperations by these individuals exacerbated the already fluid security situation in the State as supporters of the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara mobilized to the various local council secretariats to bid them farewell and, according to some of them to ensure the facilities there were not looted or vandalized.