Due to the general insecurity bedevilling the country, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has maintained that the general collapse of national security in the country is a fallout of the political interference of the Federal Government in the operation of security agencies.
Governor Wike made the remarks on the sidelines of the 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.
He maintained that deliberate political actions of the Federal Government compromise the security architecture of states in the country.
“What we have seen in most cases is that security lapses are a result of political interference “.
Wike maintained that the case of Rivers State is exemplified and worsened by the transfer in and out of Rivers State of newly promoted Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Akin Fakorede, who he said was an indicted election manipulator, between March 29 and April 4, 2018 for the purpose of carrying out criminal electoral activities.
He drew the attention of the course participants to the 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.
“The man was given special promotion as as a reward for the job he did for the Police in Rivers State during the rerun. He has been been transferred back to the state in preparation for their planned manipulation of the 2019 General Election. They brought him back because of his expertise in ballot box snatching and election violence.
“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 said.
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 oppose 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 is working on how to proffer solutions for the security challenges facing the country.
He said the theme of this year’s course as approved by the President is: “Strengthening internal security framework and community policing in Nigeria: Models, Policy Options and Strategies “.
He said that the NIPSS Study Group will study the Neighbourhood Safety Corps established by the Rivers State Government for the security of the state. According to him, as everyone is seeking for effective security models, Rivers State has already taken bold steps to secure the state.
