The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, on Monday, expressed grave concern over the recent arson attacks on local councils in Rivers State, specifically within the Ikwerre jurisdiction.
The group’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, criticized the security forces, particularly the police and secret police, for failing to prevent the attacks. These attacks were allegedly carried out by armed political terrorists sponsored to instigate crisis in Rivers State, according to Nigerian Tribune.
The attacks resulted in the destruction of a newly built section of the council secretariat in Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area. Videos and photographs of the incident have been circulating on social media, yet the police authorities have remained silent on the matter.
HURIWA recalled that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had directed the Rivers State Commissioner of Police to unseal the local government secretariats and withdraw personnel stationed at the councils across the state.
The group demanded that the security forces treat the attackers as terrorists and apply counter-terrorism laws to address the situation. HURIWA also called on the Department of State Services to identify and prosecute those responsible for the coordinated attacks.
Furthermore, HURIWA condemned the police for initially withdrawing their services during the polls, which was widely criticized by Nigerians, including the Nigerian Bar Association.
The group emphasized that institutions of law enforcement must remain impartial and not take political positions or treat influential politicians as above the law. HURIWA stressed that failure to do so would lead to anarchy in Nigeria.
This incident occurs amidst rising tensions in Rivers State following the local government elections. Governor Sim Fubara had sworn in 23 newly elected local government chairmen just a day before the attacks.
Onwubiko alleged that “both security agencies did nothing to prevent the massive invasion of Local Councils by armed political terrorists sponsored to instigate crisis in Rivers State as a prelude to their plots for a state of emergency which in any even can’t lead to the demolition of democratic structures put in place after 2023 poll which promised the current government in Rivers State.
“HURIWA condemned the Police for initially announcing that they were withdrawing their services in Rivers State during the Saturday poll which understandably was condemned massively by cross sections of Nigerians including the Nigerian Bar Association and lovers of democracy.”
While calling on politicians to give peace a chance and follow the law, HURIWA stated that the institutions of law enforcement must never be seen to take political position or treat any politicians no matter how influential or powerful as being above the law or else anarchy would be let loose in Nigeria. It stayed that those who set Local Council edifice on fire are to be treated as political terrorists who aren’t different from Boko Haram terrorists.”
