IG orders Plateau local councils’ secretariats sealed
The Plateau police command says that the Inspector General of Police Usman Baba had ordered the 17 local government areas’ secretariats in the state sealed.
Bartholomew Onyeka, the state police commissioner, revealed this in her statement issued on Thursday.
Controversies had trailed Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s decision to replace elected council chairmen and councillors with his appointees. The affected chairmen and councillors are incidentally members of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
Onyeka said the IGP’s order would prevent breakdown of law and order.
She said, “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.”
