BEVERLY HILLS, April 17, (THEWILL) – The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Dandaura has been relieved of his command by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, after arresting two pilots working for oil servicing firm, Caverton helicopters and 10 oil company employees on April 7, 2020, as well as 22 employees of ExxonMobil Thursday at the orders of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.
Dandaura was redeployed to Force Headquarters Abuja as Provost, Force headquarters, Abuja and replaced by CP Joseph Mukan. Also redeployed was CP Musa Adze, who is now in charge of the Anti-Fraud Unit. Their redeployments are effective immediately, a police force statement said Friday.
Dandaura had justified the arrests saying the oil workers breached the coronavirus lockdown order in the state and endangered safety of residents.
Meanwhile, Wike, on Friday announced the arrest of the employees of ExxonMobil who allegedly entered the state in violation of the State’s Executive Order.
The governor in a televised broadcast said security officers Thursday detained the personnel along the Ogoni-Akwa Ibom axis of Rivers State for breaching the state’s lockdown order.
“Security agencies arrested 22 staff of ExxonMobil who came into the state from neighbouring Akwa Ibom State in violation of the extant Executive Order restricting movement into the state. We do not know the coronavirus status of these individuals.
ALSO READ; OPINION: WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO DEFEND THE AIR PEACE PILOTS, ENGINEERS AND FLIGHT ATTENDANTS?
“Even though security agencies advised that they be allowed to go back to Akwa Ibom State, I insisted that the law must take its course. This is because nobody is above the law.
“As a responsive government, we have quarantined them in line with the relevant health protocols and they will be charged to court. The same law that was applied in the case of Caverton will also apply to ExxonMobil,” Wike said.
The arrest of the Caverton helicopter pilots and oil workers has pitched Wike against the federal government. Hadi Sirika, Aviation Minister, has accused the governor of recklessness and encroaching on the powers of the federal government. Sirika said the federal government gave the pilots and the workers clearance to fly into the state.
About the Author
