The Rivers State Police Command confirmed on Wednesday that a full-scale investigation has begun into the recent outbreak of violence following the state’s election.
The unrest, which affected multiple Local Government Areas (LGAs), led to loss of life and saw three council secretariats set ablaze.
Commissioner of Police Mustapha Mohammed announced the investigation following an on-the-spot assessment of the three affected LGAs.
He stated that a high-level inquiry team, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has been deployed to oversee the case.
“Today, we’re conducting a confidence-building patrol to reassure the public of their safety,” said Mohammed.
“We’re taking immediate action and have launched a full-scale investigation to understand the situation and restore security across Rivers State.”
The violence reportedly escalated after the Inspector General of Police directed that the state’s 23 council secretariats be unsealed.
In response, the police have mobilised officers to conduct a thorough investigation, with findings to be submitted directly to the Inspector General.
Meanwhile, News About Nigeria reported that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara condemned the attacks, vowing that those responsible would be brought to justice.
He noted his administration’s commitment to collaborating with both the Nigerian Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to ensure accountability for the incidents in Ikwerre, Emohua, and Eleme LGAs.
“We won’t stand by as politically sponsored thugs attempt to disrupt our state,” Fubara said while swearing in four new commissioners at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday. “We intend to hold accountable those behind these attacks, and with the police and DSS, we will identify those responsible and ensure they answer for their actions.”
