Rivers State Government Says It Is No Longer Able To Guarantee Safety of Governor Amaechi

Posted: July 18, 2013 

By SaharaReporters, New York

The Government of Rivers State has cried out about the “apparent attack” on the person of Governor Chibuke Rotimi Amaechi, and reiterated its call on all relevant authorities to ensure the safety of the governor and the peace and security of everyone in Rivers State.

In a press statement signed by George Feyii, Secretary to State Government, it pointed out that on Tuesday, two policemen, including an Inspector Bawa, reported to the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja claiming to have been posted by Police Force Headquarters on a monitoring assignment.  Similarly, four intelligence officers had earlier been posted to Government House, Port Harcourt by the Rivers State Police Command.
Neither posting was done with any notification or reference to Governor Amaechi.
“We are aware that on issues of personal safety, an official reserves the right to pick the security personnel to whom he or she may entrust their safety,” the statement pointed out.  “This is more so in the case of a State Governor.”

It also noted that the policemen this morning declared they had directives to remain at the gate of the Rivers State Governor’s lodge.
The government pointed out that not only is the Rivers State Government uncertain of the true identity of the policemen, officials are worried as to the true intent behind the latest postings.
“In recent times, events in Rivers State and especially around Governor Amaechi have been suggestive of deliberate nonchalance at best, and complicity at worst in the security breaches that have occurred,” it observed.  “This trend has continued despite a passionate appeal to the highest levels of authority.”
TEXT OF THE PRESS RELEASE BY RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT

The Rivers State Government notes with distress what is now an apparent attack on the person of Governor Chibuke Rotimi Amaechi. Yesterday two policemen, one of who is an Inspector Bawa, reported to the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge at Justice Mohammed Bello Street, Asokoro, FCT Abuja. They claimed to have been posted by Nigeria Police Force Headquarters to monitor the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge.

Earlier four intelligence officers had been posted to Government House, Port Harcourt by the Rivers State Police Command. These postings were done without any notification or reference to Governor Amaechi.

We are aware that on issues of personal safety, an official reserves the right to pick the security personnel to whom he or she may entrust their safety. This is more so in the case of a State Governor.

The policemen this morning said that they had directives to remain at the gate of the Rivers State Governor’s lodge.  Not only is the Rivers State Government uncertain of the true identity of these gentlemen, we are worried as to the true intent behind this latest posting. In recent times, events in Rivers State and especially around Governor Amaechi have been suggestive of deliberate nonchalance at best, and complicity at worst in the security breeches that have occurred.  This trend has continued despite a passionate appeal to the highest levels of authority.

We are worried that we can no longer guarantee the safety of Governor Chibuike Amaechi and wish to reiterate our call on all relevant authorities to ensure the safety of Governor Amaechi and the peace and security of everyone in Rivers State.

Signed

George Feyii
Secretary to State Government,
Rivers State,
Nigeria