See What Really Happened? Police Reveal The Surprising Reason For Storming Rivers State Election Office

The Rivers State Police Command has clarified the reasons behind its early Friday operation at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). According to a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, police officers were deployed to the RSIEC office to prevent an imminent arson attack, based on credible intelligence reports.

This response comes amid allegations by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who claimed that police operatives attempted to break into the RSIEC office to steal sensitive electoral materials intended for the upcoming local government elections.

Iringe-Koko refuted the governor’s accusations, explaining that initial police personnel from the Rivers State Government House had been stationed at RSIEC but were withdrawn following a Federal High Court ruling on September 30, 2024, which barred police involvement in the elections.

In the statement titled “Update on Local Government Elections in the State”, Iringe-Koko emphasized that the police’s presence at the RSIEC office was strictly to secure the premises and ensure peace, particularly in light of threats from hoodlums.

“The Rivers State Police Command remains dedicated to maintaining law and order and urges residents to respect the rule of law,” the statement concluded.