It Was Not To Steal – Police Reveals Why It Stormed Rivers State Electoral Commission

The Police Command in Rivers State has explained why its operatives stormed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) in the early hours of Friday.

According to a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, operatives were deployed to the RSIEC to prevent a planned arson attack on the facility.

She explained that the operatives were mobilized based on intelligence reports obtained by the Police.

Iringe-Koko gave the explanation while denying allegations by Governor Siminalayi Fubara that Police operatives tried breaking into the RSIEC office to steal sensitive election materials meant for the local government elections in the state.

She added that Policemen from the Rivers State Government House were initially deployed to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) but were withdrawn in response to the Federal High Court ruling of September 30, 2024, barring the Police from participating in the scheduled elections.

The Rivers Police spokesperson gave fresh assurances of their resolve to maintain law and order in the state.

The statement titled ‘UPDATE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS IN THE STATE’ reads: “The attention of the Rivers State Police Command has been drawn to the incident of today where the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalaiyi Fubara, GSSRS alleged that the Police in Rivers State were at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to cart away sensitive electoral materials meant for the Local Government Elections.

“It should be noted that Policemen from the Rivers State Government House were initially deployed to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) but were withdrawn in response to the Federal High Court ruling of September 30, 2024, barring the Police from participating in the scheduled elections. Conversely, in reaction to credible and actionable intelligence received about plans by hoodlums to carry out an arson attack on the RSIEC office, Police personnel were deployed to secure the premises.

“The Rivers State Police Command remain committed to our duty to maintain the peace and ask residents of Rivers State to act within the confines of the law. The Police will do everything to maintain law and order.”