IGP Replaces Rivers State CP amid Storm over Arrest of Exxon Mobil Officials …Announces other Postings

Malik Yahya/

Amid a raging storm over the arrest of 22 officials of Exxon Mobil in Rivers State for disregarding government’s no movement order, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu has replaced the Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Dandaura Mustapha.

The oil workers according to Governor Nyesom Wike were arrested for entering Rivers State from Akwa Ibom in violation of the State Executive Order restricting movement to contain spread of COVID-19.

Police spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, says in a statement today that the IGP has ordered the posting and redeployment of Mustapha and two other Senior Police Officers to different commands, formation and departments.

While Mustapha was announced as the new Provost at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, he was replaced in Rivers State Command by CP Joseph Gobum Mukan.

CP Musa Adze was also announced as the Commissioner of Police in charge of Anti-Fraud Unit.

The IGP charged the affected officers to diligently and professionally discharge their duties in their new areas of responsibilities.

According to DCP Mba’s statement, the posting and the redeployment of the affected officers took immediate effect.

Wike had told reporters after the arrest of the oil workers: “Security agencies arrested 22 staff of Exxon Mobil who came into the state from neighbouring Akwa Ibom State in violation of the extant Executive Order restricting movement into the state. We do not know the coronavirus status of these individuals.

“Even though security agencies advised that they should be allowed to go back to Akwa Ibom State, I insisted that the law must take its course. This is because nobody is above the law.

“As a responsive government, we have quarantined them in line with the relevant health protocols and they will be charged to court.”

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