Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has advised the State Police Command to be apolitical during the forthcoming rerun elections as the people of the state will resist any plot to use instruments of State to rig elections .
Speaking at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday when the new State Commissioner of Police, Mr Francis Mobolaji Odesanya paid him a courtesy visit, Governor Wike charged policemen not to take sides in the discharge of their security duties.
He noted that the police should work professionally to create the right atmosphere for the people to exercise their franchise without molestation.
The governor stated : "If anyone uses instruments of State to rig elections, we will not fold our hands".
He reminded the police of the need to weed out compromised officers with political affiliation, pointing out that he has written to the Inspector-General of Police on the issue.
Governor Wike maintained that the state government will continue to support the police to fight crime at all levels.
"For the past one year, we have bought over 100 vehicles for security agencies. We will always support the police to improve security.
"We have to work together to fight crime. I am happy with the level of policing in the state which has reduced the level of crime", Governor Wike said.
The governor announced that the state government will supply additional vehicles to the police. He also directed the local government councils in the state to provide logistics support to police divisions across the state.
Earlier, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr Francis Mobolaji Odesanya said that the police under his leadership will ensure the mop up of arms to promote security of lives and property.
He said that Rivers State will not be home to crimes as measures are being implemented to root them out.
He assured the people of the state that he will be apolitical and professional in the discharge of his duties.
The new commissioner of Police is the fifth police chief working with Governor Wike since he assumed duty on May 29, 2015.
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