The Rivers State Police Command has announced that it will not permit the local government election scheduled for Saturday to proceed. In a statement titled ‘Proposed October 5th, 2024 Local Government Chairman Election,’ the command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed that the police had received a restraining order, barring them from providing security for the elections.

The command also acknowledged the September 30, 2024, judgment from the Federal High Court in Abuja, which prohibits the police from participating in the election. The statement added that the Force Legal Department has advised that the court ruling takes precedence over other considerations.

Additionally, the police statement mentioned a recent protest by the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), during which they demanded strict adherence to the court’s orders regarding the election.