The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo has accused the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun of bias in the political crisis in Rivers State, through the alleged use of Policemen to harass politicians loyal to Governor Siminialayi Fubara.

Ihunwo, who spoke to newsmen in Port Harcourt, claimed that the factional speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martins Amaewhule led a team of policemen to disrupt a health programme organized for women in Eliozu Medical Centre, Port Harcourt.

The caretaker chairman said that some women were beaten up by the policemen, who also shot teargas canisters into the air, noting that the commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu was aware of the operation of the policemen.

Ihunwo appealed to President Bola Tinubu to call the IGP to order in order not to tarnish his image.

Ihunwo said: “We had some activities at Obio Akpor Council at Eliozu health centre, where Amaewhule led a team of policemen to disrupt the activities going on there. They came in there beating up the women, including pregnant women and started shooting teargas.

“Some few minutes later, policemen from the force headquarters arrived at the area and started shooting. They were led by CSP Masalasi, who has been giving Rivers people sleepless night.

“We want to use this medium to call on the IGP of what is going on in Rivers State. We are aware that he knows what is happening in Rivers State, we know that he has taken sides,” he said.

Ihunwo added that “we want to call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to know that the CP of Rivers State and the IG are tarnishing his image. We are calling on President Tinubu to call the IGP to order, that what happens today should not repeat itself. We are sounding it as a warning that our people will resist them.

“We want to call on the CP to stop using policemen to attack those supporting the governor. What happened this morning is because we are a law abiding people that is why we were calm. They want somebody to die.

“The IGP has taken sides. All the local government secretariats in Rivers remain sealed. How can they disrupt a health programme we have with the ministry of health. What are the issues, if I may ask. We are going about doing our legitimate business…and they are coming to stop us, aided by the police.

“We are also aware that their leader, Barr..Nyesom Wike is the one sponsoring this crisis in our state. As an LGA, we want to call on Barr. Nyesom Wike, to concentrate on what he is doing in Abuja and allow Rivers people to rest. Our people have rejected them; you can’t force people to love you.” (New Telegraph)

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