By JIMITOTA ONOYUME, Port Harcourt
RIVERS State government has said it doubted claim by the State Police Command that the deployment of Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s Escort Commander was in compliance with a directive from the Inspector General of Police.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari in a statement issued yesterday in Port- Harcourt said the explanation offered by the Police in the State on the issue was an afterthought.

Continuing, she said the Governor reserved the right to determine security operatives that should be around him, adding that it was a matter of personal comfort.

Her words: “The Attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to comments by the Public Relations Officer, Rivers State Police Command alleging that the redeployment of Governor Amaechi’s Escort Commander was ordered by the Inspector General of Police.

“The Government of Rivers State finds this hard to believe as the excuse being proffered by the Rivers Sate Police Command is clearly an afterthought as this was not the reason given when both the Escort Commander and the Camp Commandant were invited to the Police headquarters. This excuse was also not proffered when the Governor personally called Mr. Mbu to complain about the removal of his Escort Commander.

“Matters of personal security of government functionaries and especially top officials like the Governor of the State are discussed and agreed with these officials.

“Even if for the purposes of argument, it is indeed factual that the Inspector General of Police ordered the redeployment of Governor Amaechi’s Escort Commander, wouldn’t the courteous thing be for the Commissioner of Police and the Police high command to inform and explain this to Governor Amaechi?

“On matters of his personal security, a Governor reserves the right to reject or accept security details as he may be comfortable with.     The Rivers State Government therefore is reluctant to accept what it considers a lame and unsatisfactory argument by the Rivers State Police Command”

It would be recalled that the Escort Commander was withdrawn Thursday by the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Joseph Mbu.