The police high command today reiterated that it acted lawfully by withdrawing policemen from participating in the Rivers State elections.

It also urged political actors to maintain decorum in carrying out their affairs.

The spokesman of the high command, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement made available to newsmen, noted that he was responding to misinformation circulating in the media regarding the actions of the Nigeria Police Force in the Rivers State political arena.

According to him, the Force wishes to debunk the prevailing falsehood of partisanship and reaffirms its neutrality and non-interference in political affairs within the state and the country in general.

He insisted that the police only acted in line with an existing court judgement of the Federal High Court.

“Firstly, the Nigeria Police Force was served with an order of injunction by the Federal High Court, made on July 19, 2024, barring the Police from participating in the LG election, deeming it unlawful.

“Secondly, the Rivers State High Court issued a counter order on September 4, 2024, directing the Nigeria Police Force and other federal security agencies to provide security at the LG elections. It should be noted that the NPF was not joined as a party in this suit.

“And thirdly, the Federal High Court that gave the earlier injunction delivered judgement on September 30, 2024, nullifying all previous activities carried out in respect of the LG election and ordered the Police to stay away from any attempt to provide security during the said election.

“All these orders and counter-orders were served on the Police. The IGP, being a thoroughbred committed to operating within the legal framework, forwarded the three court orders to the Force Legal section for advice.

“For the information of members of the public, the Force legal section boasts sound and experienced lawyers who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession, including a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

“Based on the legal advice received from the Force Legal Office, the IGP ordered the Rivers State Police Command to abide by the ruling of the Federal High Court and also communicated the same to the Governor of Rivers State via a letter with reference number CH:3514/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.38/260, dated October 2, 2024, where the IGP advised the Governor to also abide by the court ruling in the interest of peace and the well-being of the people of Rivers State.

“The misinformation, triggered by the unwarranted outburst of the Governor of Rivers State, based on no material fact, was totally uncalled for and unfair to the Law Enforcement Institutions in Nigeria, especially his verbal attack on the person and office of the Inspector-General of Police. For the avoidance of doubt, the general public is free to profile the career journey of the Inspector-General of Police and his track record in every place he has served, which undoubtedly show him as a man of honour, integrity, and focus before and after his assumption of office as the 22nd Indigenous Inspector General of Police of Nigeria.

“The IGP is very well respected in the Association of Chiefs of Police, worldwide, particularly in Africa, where he’s currently serving as the Chairman of the West African Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCCO) and providing meritorious leadership within the West African Chiefs of Police.

“We have seen Chiefs of Police from across the world coming to attend his events in Nigeria and extending several invitations to him. For the first time, the president of Interpol was at the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Police Conference and Retreat in Owerri last year under this IGP. Let us please observe some decorum in our politics in Nigeria.

“It is also instructive to note that the NPF does not intend to engage in any form of media tussle or war with the Governor of Rivers State, his administration, or his political affiliations but will continue to play its role as a neutral body in all forms of political activities undistracted.”

“Similarly, suffice to say that the Local Government elections were generally peaceful nationwide, especially in states where the Police were in charge of security.

“In the same vein, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, directed the immediate unsealing of all Local Government Council Secretariats in Rivers State, which were previously sealed when violence erupted in the state over who controls the local government secretariat between elected chairmen, whose tenure expired, and the caretaker committee inaugurated by the state government, a matter pending in court.

“The unsealing on October 6, 2024, followed the police receiving the report that elected chairmen had been sworn in by the state government. The decision to unseal the Local Government Secretariats was informed by the need to maintain neutrality in the political developments in the state and to allow the smooth functioning of democratic institutions in the state.

“The IGP, however, condemns the spate of violent confrontations and attacks at some local government secretariats, leading to the destruction of government facilities in the state immediately after the unsealing of the secretariats. He has promptly tasked the state Commissioner of Police to rise to the occasion and restore law and order in the state.

“The IGP emphasizes the Force’s commitment to maintaining law and order, upholding democratic principles, and fostering peace, unity, and progress across the nation.”