The new Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Mustapha Bala, on Wednesday, visited local government council secretariats that were damaged during the recent violence in the state.
This inspection followed a meeting with Chijioke Ihunwo at the Obio/Akpor council in Rumuodumaya.
Commissioner Bala also went to Emohua to see the destruction firsthand. He later visited Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area and the Eleme Local Government Area.
In a video from the inspection, Bala was seen walking with both unarmed civilians and armed security officers as he assessed the damage.
The visits come after reports of serious political violence in Rivers State. Violent clashes occurred in at least four local government areas, with parts of buildings in Eleme, Ikwerre, and Emohua council premises set on fire. Gunshots were heard in Ahoada East as people resisted the new council officials.
The trouble began when the police withdrew their officers from the 23 council secretariats. Even though the Peoples Democratic Party, the All Progressives Congress, and the police did not participate in the election that produced the new local government chairmen, Governor Siminalayi Fubara insisted that the election took place on Saturday.
The Action People’s Party won 22 chairmanship positions out of 23, while the Action Alliance secured one seat. Governor Fubara swore in the newly elected chairmen on Sunday, but some faced attacks as they took office on Monday, and several council secretariats were set ablaze.
In response to the violence, the Rivers State Government has established a judicial inquiry to investigate the arson, killings, and destruction that occurred. Governor Fubara promised to take strong action against those responsible for the attacks. He stated that this incident would not be ignored and that his administration would work with security agencies to identify and hold the perpetrators accountable.
A statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, said, “His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, 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 that occurred on or about Monday, October 7, 2024.”
The commission will be chaired by Hon. Justice I.R. Minakiri, with members including Barr. Felicia Nwoke, Prof. Blessing Didia, Sir Samuel Egbe, Venerable Alex Usifor, and others. They were sworn in on Tuesday at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
