De-Politicising Rivers Police Command

Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph  Mbu has been in the news since the state chapter of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) got enmeshed in intra-party crisis. Mbu’s name gained prominence following the suspension of the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Hon Timothy Nsirim and 17 councillors by the Rivers State House of Assembly to enable it investigate allegations bordering on misappropriation of public fund. Subsequently, a Caretaker Committee was sworn in to pilot the affairs of the council pending the outcome of the investigation.

But Hon Nsirim is of the view that he was unduly suspended from office and has gone to the court to challenge the action of the State Assembly. The political crisis rocking the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council which some political pundits perceive as a backlash against the leadership tussle in the state chapter of PDP took another twist when the Rivers State Commissioner of Police ordered his men to barricade the Obio/Akpor council headquarters, thus denying the Caretaker Committee and staff acess to their workplace to carry out their legitimate duties.

In the light of the confusion and fear of uncertainty that trailed the invasion of Obio/ Akpor Council headquarters the police therefore attributed its action to intelligence report on purported plan by hoodlums to damage public property in the council. While the intelligence report cannot be wished away in view of the threats by youths who are loyal to the suspended council chairman, some keen observers of the unfolding drama in Obio/Akpor have argued that the police should rather provide adequate security at the Council headquarters to enable workers go about their legitimate duties unhindered.  It appears that the Police Commissioner, for reasons best known to him has refused to muster the will to track down those threatening fire and brimstone to forestall possible mayhem.

In fact, his handling of security issue in the wake of the polticial wrangling in the state has raised so many questions. Top government functionaries  in the state have repeatedly alleged that he is taking sides in the intra-party crisis, an allegation that is becoming increasingly weightier by the day in the face of what could be regarded as compromising posture of the State Police Command.

How could one explain the sudden withdrawal of security personnel attached to Okrika Local Government Council headquarters shortly after the Council Chairman, Tamuno William appeared on Channel Television, expressing his personal viewers over police action in Obio/ Akpor crisis and the invasion of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Also, the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Otelemaba Dan Amaechree recently raised alarm over the withdrawal of security personnel attached to his office. It is worthy of mention that the Speaker is one top government functionary that has repeatedly  accused the State Police Commissioner of taking sides in the state PDP crisis.

The Speaker in a recent statement said “sequel to my letter to the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, President  Goodluck  Ebele Jonathan GCFR, Commander-in-Chief, Nigerian Armed Forces of plans to unleash mayhem in the state, the Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu has unceremoniously withdrawn the orderly and escort attached to me.

“I have expressed my fears about plans to withdraw  security  operatives from the governor and top officials of the Rivers State Government, including myself, thus making us vulnerable to attack by hoodlums”.

The Speaker said he believed that the fears for his life had been confirmed following the assassination of a principal aide to Chief G.U. Ake who was said to have been tortured and shot to death in his house, at Erema, in Ogba/ Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The Chief of Staff to the State Governor, Sir Tony Okocha also raised alarm that his security aides had been withdrawn. Okocha, a former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor has been critical of the State Police Command over the intra-party crisis.

More worrisome is the fact that the state police command has been inconsistent in its response to this allegation.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Agnela Agabe denied that the security aides attached to either the speaker or any government appointee was withdrawn. “ I have been receiving calls from many quarters and I have repeatedly informed them that there is no iota of truth in that allegation,’ he said.

But the Police Commissioner, in a press briefing  admitted that the command withdrew some security personnel attached to these functionaries.

“There is police abuse in certain quarters here in Rivers State. Everybody in Government House wants to see himself as governor. If the Speaker of Rivers State House Assembly has 15 personnel from Special Protection Unit of Nigeria Police, as if those men are not enough , he still acquired nine from the Mobile Police force, Squadron 19, and 15 plus nine, how many? One person has 24. What is his entitlement?

“So, what we have tried to do is to make sure that every oppointee or political office-holder gets what he is entitled so that we can have enough men to go on patrols,” he said.

In the case of Okrika Council chairman, Hon Tamuno William, the Police Commissioner explained that he was entitled to one orderly, but had seven Mobile Policemen in his convoy. He said he only withdraw the Mobile Policemen.

However, we must remind the police in the state of its constitutional obligation to maintain law and order. Therefore it should be fair to all manner of persons, including both factions in the state PDP in the discharge of its duties. While every leader is confronted with various challenges, we can boldly say that Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has made remarkable impact on the security of lives and property. In the past six years Rivers State has been peaceful under his watch. Police Commissioner, help sustain the peace.

Reward Akwu