The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed as false reports that its operatives have sealed off the office of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, to stop them from conducting the local government council elections slated for October 5, 2024.
The Command, in a statement on Tuesday, noted that its operatives were there to maintain law and order.
It was learnt that some heavily armed officers had cordoned off the RSIEC office in Port Harcourt while the police dispersed youths who were gathering themselves to commence the FearlessInOctober protest in the state.
The Eagle Online recalled that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja and presided over by Peter Lifu had barred the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from releasing the Voter’s Register used in the 2023 elections to RSIEC.
Reports gathered on Tuesday indicated that the police mobilization at RSIEC office was to stop the election from being held on October 5 (Saturday).
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In a quick reaction, the police dismissed the report noting that their operatives were there to avoid breakdown of law and order while the people carried out their demonstration.
The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, gave the reaction to publication by some online platforms (Not The Eagle Online) that the office of RSIEC was sealed by the Police.
Iringe-Koko clarified that the Police officers seen at the RSIEC office were posted to the place on the directive of Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, Olatunji Disu.
According to her, the policemen were there to protect the facility against any attack during the ongoing nationwide protest in Port Harcourt, advising people to always verify their facts before publishing.
Also, Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, emphasized that there is no iota of truth in the allegation shared on some social media platforms that the Police assaulted and beat up some protesters.
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