Following the tense atmosphere in some Local Government Councils in Plateau State, the Inspector General of Police has ordered that the 17 LGA secretariats be shut down.
Recall that recently, the 17 LGA Council Chairmen were suspended by the State House of Assembly and their suspension was ratified by the State Government.
Recall also that last week, the State Government appointed Caretaker Committee chairmen to manage the affairs of the Councils; but this has not gone down well with the suspended chairmen and tension of a clash has been brewing up in some councils.
The IGP gave the directive through the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of the Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alfred Alabo in Jos, the State Capital, on Thursday.
He said, “The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba has ordered the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, CP Bartholomew Onyeka to seal up all the 17 Local Government Secretariats of the State.
“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.
“To this end, the Nigeria Police Force 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 warned that, “it will not take it lightly with anyone who tries to disrupt this process or cause any confusion around the Local Government Secretariats, as we will ensure that the law takes its full course on such persons.
Meantime, the CP commended citizens of the State for their continued understanding and urged them to go about their lawful businesses.