Demands removal of police chiefs
From: TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
Security was beefed up at the entrance of the Rivers State House of Assembly, along Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, after police encountered supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday who said they were on solidarity visit to the Speaker, Daboturudima Adams. Security operatives also had a face off with supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who protested against the delay in the swearing in of two of their members.
The two encounters happened as the State House of Assembly called for the immediate transfer of the Commander, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the State, Akin Fakorede and Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, ACP Stephen Hasso.
It also called on the National Assembly to wade into the incessant attacks on Rivers State by security agencies, and condemned a recent attack on the people by policemen in Port Harcourt.
The House’s call for the transfer of the two senior police officers from the State came on the heels of the alleged roles they played during the Thursday’s police routing of PDP supporters, when the Force was accused of injuring some persons.
Seventeen lawmakers, yesterday, took the resolution during a plenary following a motion backed by the legislators. The motion was moved by Leader of the House, Martin Amaewhule, representing Obio/Akpor Constituency 1, and seconded by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Sam Ogeh, representing Emohua Constituency.
Speaker of the House of Assembly, Daboturudima Adams, who addressed journalists shortly after the sitting, declared that the State was under siege since the coming of the APC-led Federal Government.
Adams also accused Hasso, of physically assaulting the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Government House, Port Harcourt, and detaining him momentarily.
Adams stated: “The unabated offensive of the Federal Government took yet, unprecedented dimension in recent times, as evidenced in the many overt and covert atrocities that have been committed against the government and people of Rivers State. Here in Rivers State, we have collectively resolved to stand against all forms of evil in whatever guise.
“It is true that when the people are oppressed, the judiciary becomes the only hope ; and that when peace is threatened, the law enforcement agencies are called upon not only to safeguard the peace, but also to protect lives and property.
“However, in Rivers State, barefaced and mindless partisanship of the security agencies have consistently hindered them from carrying out this obligation. The recent vicious assault on government officials, media practitioners in Rivers State and members of the PDP, going about their lawful businesses and carrying out their civic responsibilities to the government is one repulsive pointer to the repugnancy of the Federal Government to Rivers State.
“We are concerned that officers of the Nigeria Police like Mr. Stephen Hasso and Mr. Akin Fakorede, who are partisan, bias and compromised, can no longer be trusted to provide security for Rivers people, and those living or doing business in Rivers State”.
