Wike blames FG for collapse of law and order in Nigeria

Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State has stated that the collapse of national security was a fallout of the alleged political interference of the Federal Government in the operation of security agencies.

Speaking during a Courtesy Visit by the participants of Senior Executive Course 40, 2018 Study Group Three from the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru, at the Government House Port Harcourt on Monday, Governor Wike alleged that the deliberate political actions of the Federal Government compromised the security architecture of states.

“What we have seen in most cases is that security lapses are a result of political interference,” the governor said.

The governor alleged that the case of Rivers State was exemplified by the transfer in and out of Rivers State of newly promoted Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Akin Fakorede, who was between March 29 and April 4, 2018, for the purpose of carrying out alleged criminal electoral activities.

He drew the attention of the course participants to the alleged “indictment of ACP Fakorede as contained on page 66 of INEC Report into Rivers Rerun Elections wherein the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Akin Fakorede was indicted for electoral fraud, violence, and ballot box snatching and abduction of INEC officials.”

Governor Wike also alleged that Mr. Fakorede was given special promotion as a reward for the job he did for the Police in Rivers State during the rerun elections.

“He has been transferred back to the state in preparation for their planned manipulation of the 2019 General Election.

“The Federal Government has laid the foundation for crisis and violence in 2019. They are the ones who perpetrate crisis. We are peace makers that is why we are drawing the attention of the international community to these actions,” the governor alleged.

Commenting on the Neighbourhood Safety Corps, Governor Wike said that the agency was established to complement the work of Federal Security Agencies.

He said that the organisation which was fashioned in line with an existing model in Lagos State under the leadership of respected retired military, police, and paramilitary senior officers.

The governor said while the Federal Government allowed the Neighbourhood Safety Corps to thrive in Lagos, Nasarawa, and Kaduna States “for political expediency”, they opposed it in Rivers State.

“The Federal Government Security Agencies lack the personnel and equipment to provide security for all communities. The neighbourhood safety corps will complement their efforts. Apart from payment of salaries, the State Government funds the logistics and operations of the security agencies,” he said.

In his remarks, Leader of the Senior Executive Course 40, 2018 Study Group Three from the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Rear Admiral Ahamefule Eluwa, said that the group was working on how to profer solutions for the security challenges facing the country.

He said the theme of this year’s course as approved by the President was: “Strengthening Internal Security Framework and community policing in Nigeria: Models, Policy Options and Strategies”.

He said that the NIPSS Study Group would study the Neighbourhood Safety Corps established by the Rivers State Government for the security of the state.

According to him, as everyone was seeking for effective security models, Rivers State had already taken bold steps to secure the state.