The recent developments in the Rivers Government House have drawn significant attention due to the removal and redeployment of key security personnel.
The changes initiated by the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, have resulted in the reassignment of police officers who were originally appointed under Governor Nyesom Wike but later inherited by Governor Fubara.
A signal from the Police Force Secretary, AIG Olarewaju Yomi Oladimeji, dated October 31, 2023, confirmed this reshuffling.
One of the most notable changes is the reassignment of Wike’s former Chief Security Officer, CSO, Promise Nwosu.
He has been tasked with heading the Special Protection Unit (SPU) code-named Base 6 of the Rivers Command.
The SPU was established by the police in 2009 to enhance security for VIPs and diplomats.
Another change in the security landscape is the removal of Irikefe London Owen, who previously served as the Camp Commandant of Rivers Government House.
He has been redeployed to head the Rivers Police Command Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU).
Similarly, Emmanuel Nwakanma has been appointed to lead ‘Operation Sting,’ a special police outfit launched by Wike in 2019 to address security challenges in the state.
The redeployment of key security officers who were perceived to be loyal to Wike has caused disquiet and anxiety in Rivers State.
While this move may be viewed as a relief for Governor Fubara and his supporters, it has raised concerns about the intentions behind assigning these officers to head critical police units.
Some sources close to the Governor speculate that this rearrangement may be an attempt to consolidate the security apparatus in Rivers State in favour of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister.
There are concerns that this could potentially facilitate the impeachment of Governor Fubara, particularly in light of recent incidents where the Governor accused ‘compromised’ officers of Rivers Command of using force against him.
