IG Orders Shutdown of LG Secretariats in Plateau

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos 

The Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Usman Baba, has ordered the sealing off of all the 17 local government area secretariats in Plateau State.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bartholomew Onyeka, disclosed this on Thursday in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Alabo Alfred.

According to the statement, the action was to prevent a breakdown of law and order following the tension that arose over the appointment of new leadership in the affected councils by the state Governor, Caleb Mutfwang.

The statement read in part: “The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, CP Bartholomew Onyeka, to seal off all the 17 local government secretariats of the state.

“This has become necessary as a result of tensions around the leadership of the local government areas and the possible threat that supporters and local government chairmen are posing to critical infrastructure, lives and properties in the state. The decision to take this action is in accordance with the exercise of our constitutional responsibility as the Nigeria Police Force, to ensure that the above doesn’t hold sway on the Plateau.

“To this end, the Nigeria Police Force on the Plateau cannot sit down and watch things go wrong under our watch, hence the need to make this critical decision of sealing off the local government secretariats.

“The command therefore warns that it will not take it lightly with anyone who tries to disrupt this process or cause any confusion around the local government secretariats, as we will ensure that the law takes its full course on such persons.

“The CP commends the good people of Plateau State for their continued understanding and urges everyone to go about their lawful businesses as we all give peace a chance on the Plateau.”

Governor Caleb Mutfwang had last week suspended all the council chairmen alongside the councillors to pave the way for investigations following allegations of financial misappropriation levelled against them by the state legislature.

He later appointed interim management committees to run the affairs in the council areas. 

However, the former council officials, who are all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had rejected their suspension, describing it as illegal and vowed to hold onto their positions.