The Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, has ordered the sealing of secretariats of all the 17 local government areas in Plateau state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Bartholomew Onyeka, disclosed this on Thursday in a statement through the command’s spokesman, Alabo Alfred.
The said the action was taken to prevent a breakdown of law and order following growing tension over the suspension of council chairmen and appointment of new ones by Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
On June 1, Mutfwang approved the immediate suspension of leadership structures of the 17 Local Government Areas to pave way for an investigation by the state house of assembly.
The governor had explained the suspension followed the inability of the LGA bosses to produce documents related to financial transactions in the secretariats.
The police said after the order, the seal-up became necessary because the suspended chairmen and their supporters became unruly.
The statement added that the police cannot sit and watch things go wrong under its watch, hence the need to make this critical decision of sealing up the local government secretariats.
“The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, CP Bartholomew Onyeka, to seal up all the 17 local government secretariats of the state”, the statement reads.
“This has become necessary as a result of tensions around the leadership of the local government areas and the possible threat that supporters and local government chairmen are posing to critical infrastructure, lives and properties in the state.
“The decision to take this action is in accordance with the exercise of our constitutional responsibility as the Nigeria Police Force, to ensure that the above doesn’t hold sway on the Plateau.
“To this end, the Nigeria Police Force on the Plateau cannot sit down and watch things go wrong under our watch, hence the need to make this critical decision of sealing up the local government secretariats.
“The command therefore warns that it will not take it lightly with anyone who tries to disrupt this process or causes any confusion around the Local Government Secretariats, as we will ensure that the law takes its full course on such persons.
“The CP commends the good people of Plateau State for their continued understanding and urges everyone to go about their lawful businesses as we all give peace a chance on the Plateau.”
