By Dipo Olowookere
Six policemen attached to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State have been dismissed by the police authorities over alleged professional misconducts during the December 10, 2016 legislative rerun elections.
It would be recalled that the Force had withdrawn all security personnel attached to the Governor for their alleged role in the poll and were ordered to report to Abuja for questioning.
They were accused of sabotaging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) while on the side of Mr Wike during a collation exercise in Port Harcourt and also allegedly misused firearms, thereby causing panic.
Parading the dismissed officers on Friday, Police spokesman, Mr Donald Awunah, said the officers acted contrary to the stipulation of Force Order 237 and strict warning issued by the Inspector General of Police, Mr Idris Ibrahim.
Mr Awunah said the cops were found guilty of the offence after internal investigations.
He gave the names of the six dismissed policemen as Inspector Eyong Victor, Sergeants Peter Ekpo, Oguni Goodluck, Orji Nwoke, Tanko Akor and Okpe Ezekiel.
According to him, “These aforementioned police personnel while in the convoy of the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Nyesom Wike, on the date of election on December 10, 2016 misused the firearms in their possession contrary to the provisions of Force Order 237.
“The personnel became overzealous, took laws into their hands and opened fire, causing panic in the crowd.
“They joined in storming the Port Harcourt City Council Secretariat and prevented the movement of election results of Emouha polling unit to the appropriate collation centre designated by INEC, in flagrant disregard and disobedience to senior police officers present at the venue.”
