The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the immediate withdrawal of police officers previously assigned to seal off the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.

This announcement was made on Monday in a statement by Grace Iringe-Koko, the Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Command.

The statement said the order follows recent political shifts in Rivers State.

“The newly deployed State Commissioner of Police, Bala Mustapha, conveyed the directives of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for the prompt withdrawal of all police officers previously sent to seal and secure the Local Government Secretariats in the state.”

The statement stressed that the move “aligns with the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to ensuring impartiality and the effective functioning of democratic institutions.”

It also clarified that officers would only return to those areas in case of a crisis or disruption of law and order, at which point emergency measures would be rapidly enforced to restore normalcy.

The Rivers State Command reaffirmed its dedication to maintaining peace and order across the state, emphasizing its professional conduct in executing its duties.

Residents and stakeholders were encouraged to stay calm and comply with the law as the situation develops.