President Bola Tinubu has directed the Nigeria Police Force to safeguard local government secretariats in Rivers State from attacks by arsonists and vandals.
This comes in the wake of the destruction of several council secretariats by aggrieved hoodlums following the outcome of Saturday’s local government elections in the state.
In a statement released on Monday, Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed the President’s concerns over escalating violence, including reports of arson and explosions targeting public facilities.
“President Tinubu expressed deep concern about the recent tensions and instructed the police to restore peace, law, and order immediately,” Onanuga said.
The President also called on political leaders in Rivers State to de-escalate the situation and discourage their supporters from engaging in violent or destructive acts. He emphasized that public institutions, built with taxpayers’ money, must be protected from vandalism.
“Government facilities must be safeguarded, and self-help has no place in our democracy,” President Tinubu stressed, while reiterating the importance of addressing political disputes through the judiciary.
As the situation develops, security agencies have been tasked with restoring calm and ensuring the safety of public infrastructure across the state.
