Police begin probe of arson, killings in Rivers LGs
The newly deployed Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Mohammed
The Rivers State Police Command has commenced a full-scale investigation into the post-election violence that rocked several local government areas of the state, leading to the loss of life and the razing of three LGAs on Monday.
The Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Mohammed, disclosed this while answering questions from journalists after an on-the-spot assessment of the three affected LGAs on Wednesday.
Mohammed also revealed that a high-powered investigation team of seasoned police officers, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department, has been assigned the task, adding that their report will be submitted to the IGP upon completion of their findings.
Recall that violence broke out in many councils of the state after the Inspector General of Police ordered the secretariats of the 23 LGAs in the state to be unsealed.
Mohammed stated that operatives of the command have already begun intensive patrols to build residents’ confidence and reassure them of their safety, pointing out that a series of measures are in place aimed at ensuring adequate security in the state.
He said, “We are out this morning on a confidence-building patrol to assure the public of their safety as part of the proactive measures we intend to implement to ensure security in Rivers State.
“We are conducting an on-the-spot assessment of the situation on the ground so far and what has happened in these areas. We are taking action; we have embarked on a full-scale investigation.
“We have set up a high-powered investigation team led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department, to be assisted by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, State CID.
“We have seasoned police officers who will thoroughly investigate the case. Subsequently, we will submit our report to the Inspector General of Police.”
He, however, called for peace among stakeholders in the state and urged members of the public to collaborate with the police to ensure that peace is fully restored in the state.
