The Rivers State Police Command has explained what led to the attack on Governor Siminalayi Fubara during a protest at the Port Harcourt House of Assembly complex on Monday.
The command clarified that the actions, which included the use of water cannons and tear gas, were not intentional acts against the governor.
Instead, they were carried out with the aim of dispersing the protesters and safeguarding the governor from potential arsonists who posed a threat to the safety and security of the premises.
In a statement on Wednesday, the command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, said, “Following the receipt of credible intelligence on the intention of some armed group of persons to cause mayhem in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, particularly at the State House of Assembly on Monday, October 30, and recalling the previous case of arson on the State House of Assembly a day prior which is currently being investigated, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations immediately deployed armed police operatives which he personally supervised in order to intercept the ‘hoodlums’ and ensure the protection of lives and properties within the State House of Assembly facility and its environ.
“At the complex’s entrance, it was observed that youths numbering over a hundred had begun a protest to gain access to the complex and conduct themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace.
“This led to the police deploying non-lethal crowd control equipment, including tear gas and water cannons, to disperse the riotous and uncontrollable protesters.
“However, some minutes later, another aggressive group of persons approached the entrance of the complex and advanced towards the premises. The police, therefore, engaged them in like manner but observed that the Executive Governor of the State, Siminalayi Fubara, was in their midst.”
The police further explained that the governor was not expected at the scene since there had been no prior communication to the police regarding the governor’s visit to the location of the incident.
“Typically, it is customary and a security protocol for the police to accompany the governor and provide appropriate security measures, especially in light of the intelligence regarding security threats at that time.
“In consideration of this, the DC Ops quickly took deliberate security steps to ensure his protection and safety while the Governor and his entourage went on to assess the level of damage caused by the fire incident.
“Thus, it’s pertinent to state that the Police did not deliberately attack the Governor or even attempt to hurt anyone, let alone the Chief Executive and security officer of the state, which is our most essential role to protect as being peddled in the news. Due to the present situation and the misrepresentation in some sections of the media, it is pertinent to clarify this.
“Similarly, the Rivers State Police Command has emplaced adequate security measures to ensure that the situation de-escalates and total calm is restored in the affected areas,” the statement added.
Premium Politics reported that the police shot water cannons and tear gas at the entourage of the governor while on their way to access the premises of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, which was reportedly burnt down following a crisis among the state lawmakers.
