Prominent environmentalist and human rights activist, Ann-Kio Briggs, has sharply criticized the Nigeria Police Force for what she describes as “unacceptable” and “dangerous” operations in Rivers State, an oil-rich region grappling with political tension.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today program, Briggs expressed concern over the police’s selective enforcement of court orders following the election of 23 local government chairmen in the state. According to her, the police have been acting in a biased manner, exacerbating the region’s instability.
“If nobody is going to defend us, we may have no choice but to defend ourselves,” she warned.
Briggs condemned the police for withdrawing officers from local council secretariats, despite Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s warning that disgruntled political actors could incite violence. She noted that since last October, tensions had been brewing due to political maneuvering, likening the situation to a proverb: “The witch cried in the night and the child died in the morning, and now we are pretending to look for the cause.”
She further highlighted that the local governments in turmoil were those whose leadership refused to recognize the expiration of their tenure three months earlier. These same leaders had repeatedly clashed with the governor and his administration.
Briggs added that for the past three months, the police had locked the 23 local government offices following the expiration of the chairmen’s tenures. However, on the morning of the recent unrest, officers withdrew, leaving the newly elected officials vulnerable to attacks.
The activist also revealed that the people of Rivers State had been appealing to President Bola Tinubu for intervention for over a year, only for him to remain silent. Now, with local governments “on fire,” the President is calling on Governor Fubara and unnamed parties to ensure peace in the state.
Briggs concluded by stressing that it is the responsibility of the police to maintain order, stating, “This situation is dangerous and unacceptable to the people of Rivers State.”
