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IGP orders withdrawal of Police personnel from all River State local government secretariats
Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police personnel stationed at the secretariats of the 23 local government areas in Rivers State.
The move brings to an end to months-long security presence at the facilities.
The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Bala Mustapha also directed the immediate unsealing of the 23 local government secretariats across the state.
In a statement released on Monday by the Police Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, it was confirmed that the move is in strict compliance with the IGP’s orders.L
The unsealing comes just 24 hours after Governor Siminalayi Fubara swore in the newly elected chairmen, following Saturday’s local government elections.
The secretariats had been sealed since July, following tensions related to the controversial tenure extension of the previous chairmen. During that period, the facilities were secured by police personnel to maintain order amidst the political crisis.
The Police Command emphasized that the latest decision demonstrates the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to political neutrality and the smooth functioning of democratic institutions.
The statement read, “In light of recent political developments in Rivers State, the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, CP Bala Mustapha, conveys the directives of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for the immediate withdrawal of all police personnel previously stationed to secure the Local Government Secretariats. This decision reaffirms the Nigeria Police Force’s stance on neutrality and its dedication to ensuring the uninterrupted operation of democratic institutions.”
It further clarified that police personnel will only be redeployed if a crisis or threat to public order emerges. “Emergency measures will be swiftly implemented in the event of any breakdown of law and order,” the command assured.
The Rivers State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and urged residents and political stakeholders to remain calm and law-abiding.
Two Nigerian-born scientists—Adesola Adegoke, a researcher at Arizona State University (ASU), and Seunnla Adelusi, a PhD candidate at the Université de Sherbrooke, Canada—have been named among the 20 global winners of the Digital GreenTalents Award 2025.
These two Nigerians were announced among the winners during a virtual ceremony held on 25 November. In a statement following the virtual announcement ceremony, the organisers said the 20 awardees for this year joined from different time zones, including “very early morning in Canada and evening hours in the Philippines.”
The digital Green Talent Award is an annual initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) that recognises outstanding young researchers whose work advances sustainability through digital innovation.
Each year, 20 scientists are selected from a competitive global pool for their cutting-edge ideas at the intersection of digitalisation and environmental sustainability.
Alex Otti, the Abia State Governor, on Sunday paid a visit to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, at the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
The governor was accompanied by officials of the Sokoto State Government during the closed-door visit.
Nnamdi Kanu was recently moved to Sokoto after he was convicted on terrorism-related charges and handed a life sentence by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Governor Otti had earlier promised to pursue every lawful and political avenue to ensure that Kanu gets justice. Sunday’s visit is seen as part of ongoing efforts by the Abia State Government regarding his case.
Details of the meeting were not made public as of the time of this report.
Armed terrorists have abducted a bride-to-be, her bridesmaid, and eight other residents from Chacho village in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State
The Sokoto abduction occurred around 1:30 a.m., according to residents, when the attackers stormed the village. Most of the victims were women, with only one man also taken.
One resident sustained injuries and is receiving medical treatment. Villagers told reporters that the bride was preparing for her wedding scheduled for later that morning when the raid struck, plunging the community into shock and mourning.
A community member described the attack as “tragic,” noting the delay in security response. “Security operatives were alerted immediately, but they only arrived about an hour after the bandits had fled,” he said, expressing frustration.
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