Rivers State Police Commissioner strips politicians of police escorts

The Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr. Chris Ezike, on Thursday ordered the immediate withdrawal of policemen attached to politicians and other individuals.

Ezike specifically warned that policemen attached to politicians without any authorisation from the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, to shun such deployment.

He expressed the need for officers and men from the Rivers State Command to remain neutral, maintaining that any policeman interested in partisan politics should resign from the Nigeria police Force and register with any political party.

Ezike, who was posted to the Rivers State Police Command last week spoke during his inaugural meeting with senior officers, area commanders, divisional police officers and heads of departments at the Officers’ Mess Port Harcourt.

He promised to partner with relevant stakeholders to ensure the state was safer, more secure and prosperous.

“We shall with immediate effect review our personnel deployment profile and recover wastages and unauthorised deployments. Accordingly; all Squadron Commanders are directed to withdraw PMF personnel deployed to persons not entitled and without approval from the Inspector-General of Police.

“Similarly all Area Commanders, Heads of Departments and DPOs are directed to also withdraw their personnel so deployed. A monitoring task force shall soon commence action to ensure compliance.

“The 2015 elections have come and gone. However the aftershocks still remain. The Police under my watch must remain neutral, professional, fair, but very firm. Any policeman or woman who has political interest or is so committed to the ideals of any political party is advised to resign his or her commission to enable him/her register as a political party member.

“All officers and men are to ensure that their actions and conducts remain within the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, Police Acts and Regulations and other extant legislations,” Ezike said.

He also cautioned that any police officer, who displayed ineptitude or act of corruption would be sanctioned while those subjected to indignation, attack or unprovoked humiliation would be protected within the provisions of the law.

“As a police officer, I had in the course of service to the nation, served in different capacities in various commands, both at the federal and state levels, my last posting being at the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

“Coming to Rivers at this time, is a prospect I intend to explore to bring about good policing services to the people of the State. I have therefore come with tremendous goodwill, open hands and mind, willingness to work, partner with all to ensure we make Rivers State safer, secure, better and prosperous,” he added.

Credit: Chukwudi Akasike/Punch