The Assistant Inspector General of Police ( AIG) Zone 6, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, said on Monday there is no going back from the agreement to visit violators of the “no political violence” peace pact signed by political parties, stakeholders and political aspirants in Rivers state with the punishment stipulated therein.
Ogunsakin stated this at a news conference in Port Harcourt, the state capital, while giving an update on the on-going investigation into the All Progressives Congress(APC), Okrika rally attack with led to the death of a policeman and injury to many others.
The former commissioner of Police in the state, frowned at the deliberate refusal of politicians to abide by the content of the peace accord, insisting that anybody indicted by the investigation must be prosecuted, irrespective of who he is.
According to him, his office had temporarily been relocated to Port Harcourt to ensure full investigation.
He said full scale investigation had already commenced.
He maintained that anyone found wanting in any of the reports be made to face the music, insisting that he could not compromise peace and tranquillity in any of the states under him.
Ogunsakin said: “I emphasised that political activities must effectively accommodate the interests of all without undermining the fundamental human rights of the citizens and without also compromising the peace, order, security and safety of lives and property in Rivers State.
“Unfortunately, it has become apparent that the political actors who were present at the said meeting are not complying with the peace accord.
“It was agreed at that meeting that in the event of violation of the content of the peace accord, we will not hesitate to visit any of the persons or parties concerned with the full wrath of the law.
“It is on the strength of this that I am temporarily relocating to Port Harcourt. I once again warn that I shall not condone any act that will disrupt the peace and order in any of the states under my control especially Rivers state.
“I have the capacity to overwhelm any person(s) or group(s) that will rise to contravene the Electoral Act or disrupt public peace, In line with my intentions to partner with all relevant stakeholders, I have met with politicians, religious leaders and key stakeholders in Okrika and Ogu/Bolo Local Government Areas where I re-iterated my commitment to ensuring zero tolerance to crime and violence.
“I have warned them to advise their loved ones against being used by politicians to carry out any form of political violence as I have already ordered a heavy clamp down on any person (s), or group(s), that will disrupt the peace in Rivers state before, during and after the general elections.
“My office has commenced a detailed investigation into the incident that took place during the APC rally in Okrika.
“Also investigations on the case of attack and attempt on a Rivers State PDP convoy at Abua in Abua/Odual Local Government Area is nearing completion. I shall leave no stone unturned in a bid to ensuring that perpetrators of the acts are fished out and made to face wrath of the law.”
The AGP said several stop and search points have been established in Okrika and Ogu/Bolo to recover illegal arms and ammunitions in the area.
