LG Secretariats In Rivers To Remain Closed – IGP, Snubs Those Calling For Sack

By Ayodele Oni

There are indications that newly inaugurated Local Government Caretaker Members in Rivers State may not have access to the Councils Secretariat soon.

This is because the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has directed the continuation of the police barricade on Local Government Secretariat in the State to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

IGP Egbetokun gave the directive on Thursday in Abuja while fielding questions from Journalists on the sideline of a Conference with Commissioners of Police and other Senior Officers.

He also spoke on the call for his sack by Unions in the Police Service Commission (PSC) for daring to criticize recent recruitment exercise by the body.

The IGP maintained that the Police will continue to occupy the Secretariats until a Court of competent jurisdiction delivers judgment on the Local Government crisis in Rivers State.

Egbetokun, who also spoke on the controversy over the recruitment of constables and the allegations by the Police Service Commission (PSC) said the management of the Force will not sit idly and watch questionable and untrainable persons recruited into the Police.

Egbetokun maintained that the Nigeria Police Force is a specialised institution that is not meant for all Nigerians.

According to him,  those calling for his sack are entitled to their opinion and he won’t respond to the calls adding that he has no problem with those calling for his sack from office as everyone is entitled to his or her opinion.

Egbetokun, said, “I won’t respond to a call for my removal. Anybody can call for my removal. Anybody who doesn’t like me can come out tomorrow and say, remove the IG. That’s not a problem. We are all entitled to our opinion.”