The Rivers State Police Command has said it has dispatched operatives to the State Electoral Commission (SIEC) office to thwart an arson attempt by hoodlums.
According to the Inspector General of Police and Public Relations Officer, Grace Irinji Koko, the police received an intelligence report that hoodlums were planning to set fire to the RSIEC offices. In response, police personnel were immediately mobilized to secure the facility on Thursday night.
Iringe Koko pointed out that police officers from the state capitol were initially deployed to the RSIEC office, but this was withdrawn following a court order prohibiting police participation in the electoral process.
“The Rivers State Police Command has taken note of Governor Siminalai Hubala’s claim that the police officers were at the RSIEC office to take away confidential election materials,” she said. “However, our deployment was in response to credible intelligence regarding a planned arson attack.”
Iringe Koko stressed that police personnel will not participate in the polls and urged residents to act within the law.
“The Rivers State Police Command remains committed to maintaining peace and order. We will take all possible steps to ensure public safety,” she said.
