The Nigeria Police Force on Friday described the ‘outburst’ of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, against the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, as shocking and unwarranted.
Fubara had accused the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the entire Nigeria Police Force of serving the interest of an Abuja-based politician to scuttle the local government election scheduled for October 5, in the state.
The governor who was at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission said he prevented an alleged attempt by the police to remove materials meant for the upcoming local government elections.
But in a statement, Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the actions of the Force were in conformity with a subsisting order.
“The Nigeria Police takes exception to the unwarranted outburst of the Governor and particularly the weighty accusations which he falsely levied against the Inspector-General of Police and the entire Nigeria Police Force and advise caution and decency in the pursuit of individual political goals,” he said.
He reiterated that the Nigeria Police Force remained politically neutral, adding that police operatives were committed to the protection of lives and properties in the country.
“It is therefore shocking to see the state governor storming the RIEC office at night, wrongly accusing the police on lawful duties, deriding the Police institution and using unprintable words to describe the Inspector-General of Police.
“Threatening to shed blood and to burn down the State because of a Local Government election is not acceptable to us. The Nigeria Police Force is committed to the protection of lives and properties and will work with other security agencies in Rivers State to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order in the State.”
The police spokesman stated that the IGP has ordered increased deployment into Rivers State to beef up security throughout the state.
He also advised citizens of the oil-rich state to go about their lawful businesses.