The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Rivers State Chapter, staged a solidarity march on Tuesday in support of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for their unbiased protection of the 2023 local government secretariats from “intruders” in the state.
The NYCN expressed opposition to Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s establishment of Caretaker Committees (CTC) and commended the police presence at the 23 council secretariats for preventing a breakdown of law and order.
In his address at the Police headquarters on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, the group leader, Nwisabari Bani, appealed for continued police presence at the local government secretariats until the Court of Appeal delivers its judgment on the tenure elongation of local government chairmen.
Bani stated, “The Nigerian youths and Rivers youths are grateful for your intervention in protecting our secretariats from invaders. Before your deployment, some local governments had been invaded by people loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara. We were pleased when the governor announced responsibilities for the Heads of Local Government Administrations pending court decisions. However, on the 17th of this month, funds meant for development were misappropriated, leading to armed takeovers of our local governments.”
Bani urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to provide the necessary support to restore peace in the council secretariats. He emphasized, “We thank the Nigeria Police Force for preventing hoodlums from taking over our secretariats and urge the IGP to support the Command in Rivers State in maintaining security and dislodging any threats to our local government councils.”
Responding, State Commissioner of Police, CP Tunji Disu, highlighted the economic importance of Rivers State and the need for its protection. Disu assured the Force’s commitment to remaining apolitical and professionally discharging their duties.
“Our duty as a Command is to protect lives and properties, and I assure you that we will continue to do so. We are not politicians and will remain apolitical. Rivers State is vital to Nigeria’s economy, and we must prevent any breakdown of law and order. We have noted your concerns and will continue to fulfill our responsibilities.”
It is noteworthy that local government secretariats in Rivers State have been occupied by police personnel since last week, following protests by youths against the council chairmen’s refusal to vacate office after their tenures expired on Monday, June 17, 2024.
