Rivers Assembly Calls for Transfer of Police SARS Commander, ACP Operations

By Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt
 

The Rivers State House of Assembly has called on the Inspector General of Police to effect the immediate transfer of the Commander of the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Akin Fakorede, and the Assistant Police Commissioner (Operations), Steve Hasso, for alleged acts likely to cause a breach of the peace in the state. 

The stand of the assembly followed a resolution passed yesterday after a motion moved by the Leader, Hon. Martin Amewhule, and supported by 18 other members. 

The House also passed a resolution calling on the National Assembly to wade into the matter by investigating the two police officers and taking necessary action.

Moving the motion titled: “Motion to condemn Acts that can lead to breakdown of law and order and call for the transfer of ACP Steven Hasso and SARS Commander, Akin Fakorede “, Amewhule berated the police for allegedly opening fire on PDP supporters on peaceful procession to the Speaker of the House of Assembly and beating up of Journalists, simply because they were detailed to do the bidding of the APC.

 He wondered why the ACP Steven Hasso would insist on leading APC protesters into the precincts of the Government House, Port Harcourt, only to turn around to physically assault and arrest the Chief Security Officer to the Governor of Rivers State, after he was stopped from forcing himself into the seat of governance.

 The Majority Leader told the House that ACP Steven Hasso and the SARS jettisoned their professional code of conduct by their provocative acts of violence on PDP supporters and journalists, which were aimed at causing insecurity in the state.

 He said if nothing was done, the actions of the two police officers would lead to a breakdown of law and order in the state.

 The motion was seconded by the member, representing Emohua State Constituency, Mr. Sam Ogeh, who noted that the police infringed on the right of the Rivers people by opening fire on a peaceful procession on the order of ACP Steven Hasso.

He stated that Hasso and the Commander of SARS, Akin Fakorede, invited 16 Divisional Police Officers to assist them attack PDP supporters on peaceful procession, pointing out that some of the officers declined participation.

Sam Ogeh declared that by attempting to invade the Government House, Port Harcourt in company of APC members, Stephen Hasso action amounted to a coup against the Rivers people and the Government they freely elected.

Ruling on the motion after a unanimous affirmative voice vote, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Dabotorudima Adams, declared that the Inspector-General of Police must as a matter of urgency transfer ACP Steven Hasso and SARS Commander, Akin Fakorede for their illegal partisanship targeted at causing insecurity in the state.

He said: “The IGP should be reminded about the actions of Mr. Steven Hasso and Mr. Akin Fakorede in Rivers State.  This is because the outcome of the continued illegal operations and activities of this duo in Rivers State will be placed, ultimately, under his responsibility.

“We urge the Governor of Rivers State in the strongest possible terms to on behalf of the people of Rivers State, write again, to the IGP requesting the immediate redeployment of Mr. Steven Hasso and effect the already ordered redeployment of Mr. Akin Fakorede to Abuja”.

The State House of Assembly also urged the Governor to officially inform the President that ACP Steven Hasso and SARS Commander, Akin Fakorede were causing a breach of the constitution of the country and likely to cause a breakdown of law and order.

The Speaker and other members of the House of Assembly later addressed journalists where the speaker stated: “it is ominous and quite provoking that the police, paid by taxpayers to protect them is the very agency now being used to perpetrate unthinkable wickedness on the same taxpayers.

“How else can reason comprehend the daylight and undisguised involvement of the ACP Ops, Rivers State Police Command, Mr. Stephen Hasso, in collaboration with OC, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Mr. Akin Fakorede, in leading the assault on the government and people of Rivers State.

“Especially if one realises that the said ACP, Ops, Mr. Stephen Hasso, has been redeployed from the state since September 2016, but has either refused to leave the state, or has been made to stay by the powers that be, so that he will continue to do their dirty job in the state.”