Rivers police command denies attempting to break into Rivers Electoral Commission

The Rivers State Police Command has refuted claims that its personnel attempted to break into the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office on Aba Road, Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued by Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the command, the police clarified that officers were deployed to the RSIEC facility based on intelligence reports about a planned arson attack. The command emphasized that its officers were sent to secure the premises, not to interfere with electoral materials.

The clarification follows allegations made by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who accused the police of attempting to seize sensitive electoral materials intended for the upcoming local government elections. The police, however, pointed out that officers from the Rivers State Government House had initially been deployed to the RSIEC but were withdrawn following a Federal High Court ruling on September 30, 2024, which prohibited police involvement in the scheduled elections.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 statement read.

The Rivers State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and urged residents to remain law-abiding, assuring the public that the police will continue to uphold law and order across the state.