Rivers State-based environmentalist and human rights activist, Ann-Kio Briggs, has strongly criticized the Nigeria Police Force for their "unacceptable" and "dangerous" actions in the state. During an appearance on Channels Television's Politics Today on Monday, Briggs expressed frustration with the police for selectively enforcing court orders following the election of 23 local government chairmen in the oil-rich region.

“If no one is going to defend us, we may be forced to defend ourselves,” Briggs stated, emphasizing the lack of police protection amidst growing political tension in Rivers State.

She condemned the withdrawal of police officers from local council secretariats, despite Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s warning that disgruntled political actors were planning to incite violence over the election results.

“We’ve been raising the alarm since last October, when this political unrest began,” Briggs said. “It’s clear what’s happening—the local governments now in chaos are the same ones where leaders refused to step down after their tenures expired three months ago. These are the same people who’ve been attacking the governor.”

Briggs also highlighted that, for months, the police had locked down the 23 local government offices after the previous chairmen’s terms ended. Yet, on Monday, the police withdrew, leaving the newly elected officials vulnerable to attacks.

She added that the people of Rivers State have been appealing to President Bola Tinubu for over a year to step in, but his intervention only came after the crisis had escalated.

“Now, with local governments in flames, the President is calling on the governor and other unnamed parties to restore order. But it’s the police who are responsible for keeping the peace, and their failure to do so is both dangerous and unacceptable to the people of Rivers State,” Briggs concluded.