IGP asks Rivers CP to fish out killers of police officer, vigilante member

Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), has condemned the killing of a police officer and one vigilante member in Rivers state.

On Tuesday, a police officer and one vigilante member were killed in the Eberi-Omuma community under Omuma LGA in Rivers during the crisis over the tenure expiration of council chairpersons in the state.

The three-year tenure of the elected chairpersons, vice-chairpersons and councillors of the LGAs ended on Monday.

On Tuesday, Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, asked the heads of local government administration to assume control of the 23 LGAs in the state immediately.

However, despite the governor’s directive, some former LGA chairpersons reportedly attempted to resume duty at the council secretariat but were chased away by protesting youths.

The development sparked tension in Rivers as residents protested at some LGA secretariats.

Police officers fired multiple shots into the air to disperse protesters at the various LGA headquarters.

Subsequently, the police announced the takeover of the LGA headquarters.

Fubara swore in the caretaker committee chairpersons for the 23 LGAs on Wednesday.

Reacting to the development in a statement, Muyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, identified the murdered security operatives as David Mgbada, a police inspector, and Samuel Nwigwe, a vigilante member.

Adejobi said the IGP has deployed operatives of the force intelligence response team (IRT) to assist the Rivers command in arresting the killers of the victims.

“In response to these heinous acts, the IGP has directed the commissioner of police in Rivers state, CP Olatunji Disu, to heighten security measures across the state and institute thorough investigations into the killing of the police officer and the vigilante operative, as well as the general violence that erupted in the state,” the statement reads.

“The IGP seriously warns individuals and groups of people who have a penchant for senseless attacks and mindless killings of police officers and other security operatives to desist forthwith, as the fullest force of the law will be meted out to them.

“The CP has also been directed to focus on increased patrols, strategic deployment of officers, and enhanced intelligence operations to prevent further violence and ensure the safety of all residents.”