Police/PDP clash: Rivers Assembly calls on IGP to transfer ACP, SARS commander

By Ihesiulo Grace

18 November 2016

News

As a fallout of last Thursday’s clash between the Rivers state police and members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the State House of Assembly has passed a resolution calling on the Inspector-General of Police to effect the immediate transfer of the State Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP, in charge of Operations, Steven Hasso, for allegedly aiding insecurity.

The House, during plenary yesterday, also demanded the transfer of the Commander of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Mr. Akin Fakorede, out of Rivers state for what it described as illegal partisan actions when the security operatives “violently dispersed” PDP members, who were marching in their numbers to the state House of Assembly to pay a solidarity visit to the Speaker.

Condemning the incident as unfortunate, the House also passed a resolution calling on the National Assembly to wade into the matter by investigating the two police officers and taking necessary actions against them for their alleged roles in the clash. It also called on the governor of the state, Chief Nyesom Wike, to write to the Inspector-General of Police on the matter.

The 8^th Legislative House passed the resolutions following a motion moved by the House Leader, Martin Amaewhule, representing Obio/Akpor 1 Constituency and 18 other members of the House in view of the violence allegedly meted out to PDP supporters and journalists by the policemen under the leadership of ACP Hasso on Thursday in Port Harcourt .

In the motion entitled: “Motion to condemn Acts that can lead to breakdown of law and order and call for the transfer of ACP Steven Hasso and SARS Commander, Akin Fakorede,” the Majority Leader Martin Amaewhule, berated the police for opening fire on PDP supporters on peaceful procession.

He wondered why the ACP Steven Hasso would insist on leading APC protesters into the precincts of the Government House, Port Harcourt, “only to turn around to physically assault and arrest the Chief Security Officer to the Governor of Rivers State, after he was stopped from forcing himself into the seat of governance.”

The Majority Leader told the House that “ACP Steven Hasso and the SARS jettisoned their professional code of conduct by their provocative acts of violence on PDP supporters and journalists, which were aimed at causing insecurity in the state,” adding that if no action was taken against the officers, a breakdown of law and order might result in the state.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Sam Ogeh, the member representing Emohua State Constituency, who noted that the Police infringed on the right of Rivers people by allegedly opening fire on a peaceful procession on the alleged order of ACP Steven Hasso, saying that Steven Hasso and the Commander of SARS, Akin Fakorede, “invited 16 Divisional Police Officers to assist them to attack PDP supporters on peaceful procession.”

He pointed out that by allegedly attempting to invade the Government House, Port Harcourt, in company of APC members, Stephen Hasso’s action amounted to a coup against the Rivers people and the Government they freely elected.

In his contributionto the motion, Hon. Kelechi Nwogu, representing Omuma State Constituency, called for the investigation and prosecution of Steven Hasso and the Commander of SARS for alleged acts inimical to the security of lives and property in the state.

Hon. Marshall Uwom, the Deputy Speaker, also in his contribution condemned the police for allegedly disregarding the rule of law and “deliberately placing the state under siege through provocative acts of violence.”

Ruling on the motion, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Dabotorodima Adams, declared that the Inspector-General of Police must, as a matter of urgency, transfer ACP Steven Hasso and SARS Commander, Akin Fakorede, for their alleged illegal partisanship targeted at causing insecurity in the state.

“The IGP should be reminded about the actions of Mr. Steven Hasso and Mr. Akin Fakorede in Rivers State. This is because the outcome of the continued illegal operations and activities of this duo in Rivers State will be placed, ultimately, under his responsibility.

“We urge the Governor of Rivers State in the strongest possible terms to, on behalf of the people of Rivers State, write again, to the IGP requesting the immediate redeployment of Mr. Steven Hasso and effect the already ordered redeployment of Mr. Akin Fakorede to Abuja,” the House pleaded.

The State House of Assembly also urged the Governor to officially inform the President that ACP Steven Hasso and SARS Commander, Akin Fakorede were causing a breach of the constitution of the country which was likely to cause a breakdown of law and order.

It would be recalled that following the clash between the police and the demonstrating PDP members, several persons, including the Channels Television cameraman, sustained injuries of various degrees and were hospitalized at the St. Patrick’s hospital, Port Harcourt.