You should be worried if court stops you from securing Rivers voters, NBA tells police

In a statement on Friday, the President of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, (SAN), said the police should at all times provide security for the people of Nigeria and should in fact be worried if any court order purports to prevent them from discharging this responsibility.

“The duty to secure the lives and property of the people is one that should never be restrained by the court,” he said.

“The Police must ensure they discharge their duties at all times and urgently take steps to set aside any judgement that seeks to prevent the police from discharging their constitutional responsibilities.

“To do otherwise may enthrone a reign of terror or breakdown of law and order. The people of Rivers must never be left unprotected, no matter what.”

He said the association is deeply concerned about the controversies and actions of actors relating to and pertaining the scheduled local government elections in Rivers State.

Further, he said the NBA has noted with particular interest the statement released by the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko, which indicates that the police in Rivers State will not provide security during the local government elections scheduled for Saturday, October 5, 2024.

The NBA has also read the disturbing report that some policemen were alleged to have attempted cart away electoral materials in the dead of the night at the head office of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

“We agree with the statement issued by the chairmen of NBA branches as we find it deeply troubling that the police would brazenly issue a statement that they would shirk their constitutional responsibility of providing security in Rivers State in purported compliance with an order of court,” he said.

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