The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Muhammed Abubakar, on Wednesday promised that any policeman found culpable in the Rivers State House of Assembly mayhem would be sanctioned appropriately.
He said he had already dispatched the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, to the state capital Port Harcourt, to investigate the matter and report back to him.
Abubakar spoke with State House correspondents shortly after he and the Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade, had a closed door session with Vice President Namadi Sambo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Olubolade however said the meeting, which was in continuation of efforts to reform the Nigeria Police, did not discuss the fracas.
Abubakar claimed that he was not aware that policemen were taking sides in the crisis engulfing the state.
He said, "I am not aware. You see, the police have a responsibility to protect the citizens of this country but remember, we saw the video clip and you saw those who went to the Assembly.
"I think you should be asking who were those who went to the Assembly and why they went to the Assembly? We are investigating that matter and whoever is found wanting will be sanctioned."
When asked whether he was satisfied with the conduct of his men in the state so far, the police boss said, "What conduct? I am not in Port Harcourt and I am investigating. I have sent a DIG in charge of operations, he is in Port Harcourt and he will brief me on the happenings and the action taken by police in Rivers State and necessary action will be taken against anybody who has anything to defend."
When further asked whether he was not bothered that police were being dragged into politics, Abubakar declared, "You are free to make allegation but the allegation must be substantiated that yes, he (Rivers Commissioner of Police) has done something stupid. I have not gotten any written documentation that accused the commissioner of police of one particular offence till today."
He also said it was not true that policemen attacked the Rivers Government House on Wednesday.
"That is not true, no reasonable Commissioner of Police will go and teargas Government House, it is not true," he added.
Corroborating the police boss' position, Olubolade said anybody, found to have erred in the saga, would be held responsible.
The Punch