The Inspector General Of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Bartholomew Onyeka, to seal up all the 17 Local Government Area secretariats in the State.
It would be recalled that the Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang, had recently approved the immediate suspension of the 17 local government council chairmen, whose tenure have not elapsed, a development which did not go down well with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State.
However, most of the suspended Council chairmen elected on the platform of APC refused to vacate their offices for the incoming Transition Committees peopled by members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PFP) to take over, thereby creating tension in the State.
But, the State Police Command in a statement issued in Jos by its Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Alfred Alabo, said the decision of the Police became necessary as a result of tension around the leadership of the Local Government Areas, and the possible threat that supporters of the sacked Local Government chairmen were posing to critical infrastructure, lives and properties in the State.
He further explained that, “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.”
The Command also added that the Nigeria Police Force on the cannot sit down and watch things go wrong under its watch, hence the need to make this critical decision of sealing up the Local Government secretariats.
The PPRO, therefore, warned that it will not take it lightly with anyone who try to disrupt the process or cause any confusion around the Local Government Secretariats, adding that the Police Command will ensure that the law take its full course on such persons.
