From Molly Kilete, Abuja
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Idris Ibrahim, yesterday, debunked allegations by Rivers State Governor, Nyeson Wike, that he directed the state’s Commissioner of Police to kill him.
Wike had, in an interview with a newspaper, alleged that the IGP mandated the commissioner of police in charge of Rivers state to cage him and kill him.
The IGP, who made the clarification in a statement, in Abuja, said “there was no time, either recently or in the past, that the Inspector-General of Police gave an order or assignment to the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State or any police officer, anywhere, in the country to kill His Excellency, Mr. Nyesom Wike, or direct the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, to cage the governor as alleged.”
The statement signed by the force Public Relations Officer, Moshood Jimoh, described the allegation as “ un-gubernatorial, un-executive, malicious” and capable of misleading and causing disaffection between the police and the good people of Rivers State, whom Wike had sworn to lead. He, therefore, advised the governor to resist personal grudges, grouse and sentiments to attack his hard-earned personality. He further advised Wike not to cast aspersion on the statutory role of the force of ensuring utmost protection of lives and property of all Nigerians. The IGP, while noting that a total of 221, police personnel are currently attached to Wike, for his personal and office protection, gave the breakdown to include one ADC, one CSO, one unit commander, Special Protection Unit (SPO), one Unit Commander (counter terrorism unit) and Escort Commander.
He listed others to include one Camp Commander, one Administrative Officer to administer the police personnel, 54, Inspectors of Police, 136 Police Sergeants and 24 Police Corporals, which he said was more than the strength of some Police Area Commands formation in some states of the federation.
Idris also said only three commissioners have served in Rivers state since his tenure as IGP.
“The first Commissioner of Police was redeployed to a higher duty post when he was promoted to the rank of a Deputy Inspector General of Police, while the second died after a brief illness on admission at an Indian Hospital; the third is the current Commissioner of Police in Rivers State,” the IGP said.
Idris, while assuring that he would not be deterred from carrying his official duties and other responsibilities for the benefit of all, said Wike’s claims “are in totality falsehood, unsubstantiated and misleading.”
He called on the public to disregard and discountenance the allegations, saying the police is apolitical and will continue to be very professional and carry out its statutory duties in compliance with international core values of policing with integrity and ensure the rule of law prevails throughout the country.