Kidnapping of Corps Members: Rivers to Withdraw From Funding Police, Governor Attacks Jonathan

Governor Chibuike Amaechi expressed dissatisfaction over the recent kidnapping of 3 corps members in the state when the state coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps visited him to register his displeasure. The governor stated that the state is already planning to withdraw from funding the police till relevant actions are taken  to secure lives and properties.

The governor noted that the Commissioner of Police is no commissioner but a politician because he attends political party meetings actively. He said the CP lacks any concrete sense of duty and does not know the real mission of him being in the state. 

He told the state coordinator of NYSC to inform the IG who has authority over the police on how to protect corps members, especially in their lodges. He mentioned that he has no authority over him (the CP) because the police have been politicised although the constitution permits him. For security of lives and properties to be ensured in Rivers state, the CP has to be removed Amaechi revealed.

The brawl between the President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan and Rivers state governor, Chibuike Amaechi got a bit complicated with the swipe the governor took at the president. The governor said 'how can we say we have a brother from Bayelsa as the President and Rivers is insecure?' The governor said is it till when Rivers turns to Borno where corps members can no longer be posted before anything tangible will be done?

He said there was a case of  kidnapping of corp members among the last batch that left the state and now, another has just occurred. Some commentators said Amaechi is not comfortable with the present commissioner of police because he is unable to use him to attack opponents like the previous commissioner.

The rift between  the president and the governor became pronounced when Governor Amaechi who was deemed to have won the Nigeria Governors' Forum election was shortchanged. The election became characterised by allegations of corruption in a 35-elders cum first citizens of states' election. The Jonah Jang faction is backed by the presidency. Jonah Jang himself was a late entrant into the election.