The new Commissioner of Police in Rivers state, Mustapha Bala on Wednesday embarked on inspection visits to some local government council secretariats which were affected by Monday’s violence in the state.
The inspection took place after a meeting with Chijioke Ihunwo at the Obio/Akpor council, Rumuodumaya.
He also visited Emohua to see the destruction for himself, after which he visited Isiokpo in Ikwerre LGA, as well as Eleme local government.
In a video, Bala was seen flanked by both unarmed civilians and armed security operatives, as he walked around inspecting some of the secretariats.
The development comes after highly reported political violence and tension in the state.
Violent clashes erupted in at least four local government areas—with parts of the buildings in Eleme, Ikwerre, and Emohua council premises set ablaze, while gunshots were fired sporadically in Ahoada East to resist the new council officials.
The burning of LG secretariats followed the withdrawal of the police officers securing the 23 council secretariats by the commissioner of police.
Though the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the police opted out of the exercise that produced the newly elected LG chairmen, Governor Siminalayi Fubara insisted that the election be held on Saturday.
After an exercise held amid heightened tension, the Action People’s Party (APP) won 22 chairmanship positions out of 23 in the oil-rich state while the Action Alliance (AA) won a seat.
Fubara swore in the 23 newly elected local government chairmen in Rivers State on Sunday but some of the LG bosses were attacked upon assumption of office on Monday. Some council secretariats were also set ablaze by political opponents.
Rivers Govt Sets Up Committee
The Rivers State Government has set up a judiciary of inquiry into the arson, killings, and other forms of violence that occurred in the state.
Following the attacks, the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara vowed to take decisive action against those responsible for setting ablaze three local government secretariats.
He pledged that the incident, unlike previous cases, will not be ignored, as his administration will collaborate with security agencies to identify the perpetrators and hold them accountable.
A statement by the Office of the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo on Tuesday, said the setting up of the judicial committee was pursuant to Section 2(1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Law, Cap 30, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.
The statement said, “His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, has approved the Setting-up of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the arson, killings, and wanton destruction of property at some Local Government Council Headquarters which occurred on or about Monday, October 7, 2024.”
Members of the Commission are:
(1) Hon. Justice I.R. Minakiri – Chairman
(2) Barr. Felicia Nwoke – Member
(3) Prof. Blessing Didia – Member
(4) Sir Samuel Egbe – Member
(5) Venerable Alex Usifor – Member
(6) Barr. Uzor Ikenga – Counsel to the Commission
(7) Mrs. Inyingi Brown – Secretary
Members of the Commission were sworn in on Tuesday at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt.
