Police deny apc’s allegations in Rivers

THE Rivers State Police Command has denied claims that it declared to the All Progressives Congress in Okrika Local Government Council that it will not guarantee the security of the party’s candidates and supporters during their governorship rally.

The APC in Okrika LGA had alleged that the police, rather than agree to provide security for the APC governorship campaign in the area, had suggested that the event be postponed indefinitely since it (police command) would not be able to guarantee security.

Leader of the Dakuku Peterside Campaign Organisation in Okrika, Mr. Tamuno William, also accused the police of refusing to investigate attacks on APC secretariat and members in the area.

But the command on Thursday expressed surprise over the allegations against it. The police maintained that at no time did the command say that it would not be able to guarantee the security of lives and property.

A statement signed by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad, assured that the perpetrators of the attacks on the party secretariat and members would soon be brought to book.

The command insisted that an investigation into the matter was ongoing and added that it would not fold its arms and allow such case of attacks on the facilities of a political party to go into oblivion.

It said, “The Rivers State Police Command wishes to react to statements credited to one Chief Tamuno William, a stalwart of the APC in Okrika Local Government alleging that the command refused to investigate attacks on their party offices in Okrika and also failing to provide them with security for their planned rally in Okrika town.

“To put the records straight, the command will not fold its arms and allow the attacks on APC facilities in Okrika or any other political party’s facility to go uninvestigated. Investigations on the cases are still in progress.”

Expressing surprise that the APC in Okrika could accuse it of refusing to provide security for its members, the command recalled that it met with political stakeholders in Okrika and wondered why the allegation was coming immediately after the meeting.

The command, however, reiterated its resolve to remain apolitical and provide adequate security for all political parties in the state, adding that those bent on attacking facilities and members of political parties should be ready to face the full wrath of the law.