Rivers CP visits troubled LG secretariats, says police will probe violence

Mustapha Mohammed, the police commissioner in Rivers, says an investigation team has been set up to probe the violence in some LGA secretariats in the state.

Mohammed spoke on Wednesday during a visit to some Rivers LGA secretariats, including Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, Emohua, and Eleme, for an assessment of the state of the facilities.

On Monday, hoodlums razed sections of three LGA secretariats in Rivers — Emohua, Eleme, and Ikwerre — to prevent the elected officials from resuming their duties.

Five people were reportedly killed during the violence that occurred at some LGA secretariats.

Speaking with journalists during the assessment tour, the police commissioner said the command will take action against perpetrators of the incident.

He said the assessment will enable the police to ascertain the level of damages done to the LGA secretariats.

“We are conducting an on-the-spot assessment of the situation on the ground so far and what has happened in these areas,” the Rivers police commissioner said.

“We are taking action. We have embarked on a full-scale investigation.

“We have set up a high-powered investigation team led by the deputy commissioner of police, state criminal investigation department, to be assisted by the assistant commissioner of police, state CID.

“We have seasoned police officers who will thoroughly investigate the case. Subsequently, we will submit our report to the inspector-general of police.”

The police chief assured the newly elected LGA chairpersons that the command will collaborate with them for the safety of their territories.

On Tuesday, Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, inaugurated a seven-member panel to investigate killings and destruction of properties at the LGA secretariats.

Fubara asked the panel to identify the underlying causes of the violence and individuals responsible for the attacks on LGA secretariats in the state.