Why We Fired Teargas, Water Cannons At Rivers Governor – Police Opens Up

Why We Fired Teargas, Water Cannons At Rivers Governor – Police Opens Up

The police in Rivers State, located in the South-south region of Nigeria, have provided an explanation for their use of teargas and water cannons on Monday during an incident involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara in Port Harcourt.

The situation unfolded amidst the turmoil following impeachment proceedings against the governor.

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Reports detailed how police officers discharged teargas and water cannons towards Mr. Fubara, who, accompanied by security personnel and a group of youths believed to be his political supporters, was walking along a road. The governor was en route to the Rivers House of Assembly Complex, which had suffered damage from an explosion the previous day.

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In response to the incident, Mr. Fubara stated that security in Rivers State had been compromised, expressing concern about being directly targeted with gunfire. He remarked, “They were shooting at me directly. But it doesn’t matter, somebody will die one day.”

The police had faced mounting pressure to address the incident.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Rivers State police clarified that Governor Fubara was amidst a group of “aggressive” individuals who were marching towards the Rivers House of Assembly Complex.

The statement, signed by police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko on behalf of Commissioner of Police Polycarp Emeka, sought to shed light on the events.

The police said they deployed “non-lethal crowd control equipment including tear gas and water cannon to disperse the riotous and uncontrollable protesters”.

“The presence of the Governor at the scene was of great surprise and shock as there was no prior communication to the Police on the visit of the Governor to the scene of the crime which ordinarily is the usual protocol and complimentary that we accompany his guard for proper safety considering the intelligence of security threat at hand then,” the police said.

“It’s pertinent to state that the Police did not deliberately attack the Governor, or even attempt to hurt anyone let alone the Chief Executive and security officer of the state which it’s our most essential role to protect as being peddled in the news.

“Due to the present situation, and the misrepresentation in some sections of the media, it is pertinent to make this clarification.”

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Emeka, according to the statement, has urged residents of the state to go about their lawful duties and support the police and other security agencies to ensure that peace is restored in Rivers State.

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