Rivers State Burning: Ex-APC Official Blames Police Chief and Minister for Complicity

Timi Frank, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has accused the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike of complicity in the recent burning of two local council secretariats in Rivers State. In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, Frank conveyed his condolences to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the people of Rivers State over the "unfortunate incident".

Frank condemned the attacks, stating that the IGP and Wike should resign and be held accountable for the violence. He claimed that immediately the IGP ordered the withdrawal of policemen from the council secretariats, hoodlums descended on the facilities. Frank praised President Bola Tinubu’s directive for police intervention, but criticized the response as "coming too late" and biased in favor of Wike, who he alleges has threatened to destabilize the state.

"Wike has been boasting that he has the President’s blessings to destabilize Governor Fubara’s administration," Frank said. Frank urged all patriotic Nigerians, including former leaders and union heads, to rally against the violence and demand justice for those responsible for the attacks. He also called on the United Nations to intervene, insisting that the perpetrators of the violence must be brought to justice.

Frank’s accusations come amid growing tensions in Rivers State, where political violence has become increasingly common. The situation has sparked concerns about the stability of the region and the effectiveness of the authorities in addressing the crisis. As the situation continues to unfold, international observers are closely watching the developments in Rivers State, hoping for a swift and peaceful resolution to the conflict.