The Inspector-General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, has defended the role played by the Nigeria Police Force during the recent crisis in Rivers State.
Bellnews reports that the crisis which occurred before and after the election resulted in the loss of lives and property damage.
Speaking at the IGP Conference with senior police officers on Monday, Egbetokun explained that the police acted professionally and in accordance with the law.
“The crisis was avoidable, but we stood by the law,” he said. “We were preparing for the local government elections when a Federal High Court barred us from participating, only for a counter-order to come from another High Court.”
Egbetokun revealed that the police withdrew from the election process following legal advice but later deployed personnel to maintain peace after receiving intelligence reports of planned violence.
“We unsealed the local government secretariats to allow newly elected officials to assume duties,” he said. “If we had remained, we would have been accused of taking sides.”
The IGP also listed the police’s achievements in fighting crime nationwide, announcing the arrest of 10,852 suspects between July and October.
Additionally, he said 416 arms, 3,672 ammunition, and 178 vehicles were recovered, and 369 kidnapped citizens were rescued.