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Gov. Wike to IGP: Your withdrawal of my CSO is embarrassment to due process; Support security agencies to deliver peaceful polls- IGP
Rivers State Governor , Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has told the Inspector General of Police , Ibrahim Idris that the withdrawal of his Chief Security Officer, CSO, has exposed his life to danger.
This is as the governor asked the Inspector General of Police to transfer the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations , Steven Hasso and the Commander of Special Anti-Robbery Squad ( SARS) Akin Fakorede for deliberately compromising the security of Rivers State because of partisan reasons .
Speaking when he granted audience to the Inspector-General of Police , Ibrahim Idris on Thursday at the Government House , Port Harcourt , Governor Wike regretted that without consultation , the Inspector General of Police took sides with Assistant Commissioner of Police , Steven Hasso, who attempted to invade Government House with All Progressives Congress, APC, supporters.
The governor said that he was shocked by the inaccurate statement released by the Office of the Inspector General of Police that his Chief Security Officer was withdrawn for misconduct .
He informed the Inspector-General that contrary to his claim that his Chief Security Officer was withdrawn for misconduct , the Chief Security Officer only stopped Steven Hasso and an APC hired crowd from invading Government House , Port Harcourt .
“The moment you touch my Chief Security Officer , you are telling me that you are ready for me. As I sit here, I am empty, I have no protection .
“When people start to embarrass the governor , take his Chief Security Officer without information , it is completely wrong . What you have done is the highest disrespect to the office of the Governor .
“I am pleading with you, my life is very important . I will not take any Chief Security Officer you bring to me that I don’t know . This is a matter of security and protection , it is not what you do with levity”.
The governor warned the Inspector-General of Police against politicising the security of the rerun elections , because after the election there will still be governance.
He told the Police High Command that the people of Rivers State will support an unbiased Police Force, but warned that the people will resist any attempt to use security agencies for untoward electoral action.
He said: “If the police wants free and fair elections , the Police will get free and fair elections ” .
Governor Wike berated the Police for declaring a state-wide curfew without consultation with the Rivers State Security Council .
He reminded the Inspector General of Police that he has written several letters to his office without reply . He informed him that the State SARS Commander , Mr Akin Fakorede has been indicted for distributing SARS uniforms to APC thugs.
Earlier , the Inspector General of Police , Ibrahim Idris said that he was in the state to ensure that the election was peaceful .
He urged the people of Rivers State to support the Security agencies to deliver peaceful polls.
