By Daniel Edu
In a dramatic turn of events, women protesting at the Yenagoa, Bayelsa command headquarters, demanding the resignation of State Commissioner of Police, Tolani Alausa, were forcefully dispersed by command operatives using tear gas.
Clad in black as a symbol of their demand for impartiality, the female demonstrators insisted on Alausa’s removal before the off-cycle governorship election scheduled for Saturday, advocating for a peaceful electoral environment. Their refusal to vacate the premises without their demands being met prompted the use of tear gas by law enforcement.
Shortly thereafter, another group of demonstrators arrived to express their support for CP Alausa, highlighting the divisive sentiments surrounding the issue.
The women initiated their protest on Thursday at the police command headquarters, carrying it into Friday. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ofem Arikpo, addressed the media, asserting that the Commissioner of Police cannot be removed without cause.
“The CP cannot be eliminated at this time. Election day is tomorrow. What has the CP done to warrant his dismissal? He’s not voting; he’s just performing his job,” stated Arikpo.
Commissioner Alausa assumed office on November 7, and this call for his removal echoes similar demands in Imo state, where opposition parties are persistently calling for the removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Sylva Agu.
