Embattled Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi yesterday gave an insight into how the security details attached to the Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday while he was receiving the Senate Committee on State and Local Government Administration investigating the crisis in the state.
“Yesterday, they were shooting tear gas into Government House. When we were meeting with the Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) today, the Police claimed that it was inadvertent, that they shot tear gas into Government House. So, I asked one question, supposing, it was live bullet and it hit me, they said, ‘Nooo, governor was not outside,’ but I said, I was outside, you can check”, Amaechi said.
Expressing shock at the sudden withdrawal of soldiers and Amoured Personnel Carrier, APC attached to Government House, the governor lamented that commanders of security formations in the state have in the past two months not met with him on account of political pressures.
“We are under siege here. For two months now, we have not met with security men. Security commanders in the state don’t come to me any longer. They are either scared or they don’t deliberately want to see me. They withdrew soldiers attached to me yesterday (Wednesday) and this morning, they withdrew the APC attached to Government House”, he said.
However, the Nigerian Army has denied withdrawing the soldiers attached to the Government House.
When contacted on why the soldiers were suddenly withdrawn from the Governor’s security train, Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the 2 Brigade Command, Bori Camp, Major Mike Etete, said he was not aware of any such withdrawal.
“I don’t know what you are talking about. I don’t know where you get your information from. But all I can tell you right now is that I don’t know whether the soldiers have been withdrawn.”
Also, the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Ibrahim Attahiru said he was not aware that the Army headquarters ordered the withdrawal of soldiers guarding the governor as such development was not known to the army.
An Army General however said that the Army personnel in question are under the command of the Joint Task Force for Niger Delta, code-named ‘Operation Pulo Shield,’ adding that the JTF routinely carries out rotation of its troops which may have necessitated the recall of the soldiers.
“If that is the case, there should be replacements in the not too distant future, however, it should be noted that the military do not deploy soldiers to guard governors. No governor has troops deployed to guard him. Rather in areas where Joint Task Forces are deployed due to peculiar security challenges, soldiers are deployed to ensure peace and security for the people of that state or environment and not to protect individuals. The only exception to that rule is the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, which is being protected by the elite Brigade of Guards,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Police Force Headquarters has launched a high-level investigation into the involvement of its officers and men in the crisis, with an invitation to the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu and officers attached to the Government House alleged to have taken sides in the fracas.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar has inaugurated a high powered investigation panel headed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge Operations, DIG Philemon Leha to move to Port Harcourt.
While inaugurating the panel, Abubakar assured that the Police will not spare anyone found to have fallen foul of the law during the fracas, irrespective of placement and status.
The high powered panel is to “scrupulously investigate all the circumstances surrounding the on-going impasse in the State particularly, as it relates to the actions and omissions of Police personnel that were physically on ground during the unfortunate fracas that occurred at the hallowed Chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly”.
A statement signed by CSP Frank Mba, Force spokesman on the development said: “The Police High Command uses this medium and opportunity to remind the citizens of the state, irrespective of their ideological leaning, of the need to play by the rules. While the Force continues to do everything within its constitutional powers and means to provide a safe, impartial and conducive atmosphere for legitimate social, political and economic activities to thrive in the State, the IG warned that the Police will not tolerate any form of lawlessness or acts amounting to threats to public safety and public order.”
It continued: “The IGP strongly advises citizens to seek civilized and decent means of resolving their differences, devoid of all forms of violence and confrontation.”
“He reminds the good people of Rivers State that the peace of the state is paramount to the well being and development of the state and that the Police Force needs the maximum co-operation and understanding of the people to optimally discharge its statutory responsibilities”.
Reiterating that “the success of our democracy depends on our collective efforts and contributions”, the IG noted that “we must as a people; manage our differences to the advantage of our growing democracy for the good of all.”
The IG then reassured the good people of Rivers State and the general public of “the readiness of the Force to at all times ensure the security of the State and implored the citizens not to further heat-up the polity through hateful, inflammatory and unguarded statements/actions but to consciously work towards the enthronement of peace within the State.
“Meanwhile, citizens are advised to continue to go about their legitimate businesses without fear of intimidation from any quarter”, the statement said.