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Tag: rivers

  • Ward congress: One dead as hoodlums invade, vandalise Rivers APC secretariat

    One person died in Port- Harcourt on Friday as unidentified persons, suspected to be political thugs vandalised the Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) located at the Old Government Residential Area in Port Harcourt, Rivers.

    The Rivers Command of the Nigerian Police quickly intervened by deploying tear-gas to stop further destruction of the party’s secretariat.

    Gun shots were fired into the air to scare riotous members and in the process one death was recorded.

    The APC members aspiring for various positions at the Ward levels had come to the party secretariat to pick their forms before the incident.

    A Ward Chairmanship aspirant told said that he was unable to pick the form after paying the required amount through the bank.

    He said that trouble occurred after a long wait by the aspirants.

    “As you can see, most of us that are vying for different positions in our wards are here to pick the form but nobody is here to address us.

    “We were told that sales of forms will commence by 3 pm but up till 5:30pm we didn’t see anybody attending to us,” he alleged.

    According to witnesses, violence broke out following the long wait. The party’s secretariat was vandalised.

    Mr Chris Finebone, Publicity Secretary of APC in Rivers via a text message said that what happened at the Secretariat was an act of wanton destruction that should be condemned by all.

    “We regret that party leaders who have been canvassing for elections turned around to demand for consensus arrangement only to turn around to prevent the process of election through violence.

    “We know them and time will prove them wrong,” Finebone alleged.

    There are 319 wards across the 23 local government areas of the state.

  • 2019: GDI mobilises Rivers indigenes in diaspora for Wike’s re-election

    Grassroots development initiatives (GDI) has appealed to the indigenes of Rivers State In diaspora to come home en masse to participate in the 2019 general elections and vote massively for the continuation of the progressive and all-inclusive government of Governor Nyesom Wike.

    At a meeting of Nigerians in diaspora held at Kempton Park, West Street in Johannesburg, South Africa, the convener of GDI, Pastor Egba B. H Egba said that the group is particularly happy with Governor Wike for making River State the first destination for foreign investments in Nigeria. “His all inclusive developmental projects have made considerable impact on the economy of the state.

    Egba who also doubles as the President of the Union of Rivers State Indigenes in South Africa and the founder of N. E. W. Prayer squad for the mobilisation of 1.8 million Christians for the re-election of Governor Nyesom Wike come 2019, commended him for the relief he has brought to Rivers State students who are on scholarship studying various courses abroad. “But for Governor Wike, many students would have been stranded”. Pastor Egba also commended the Governor for insisting that courses available in Nigeria would no more qualify for overseas scholarship. This has saved the state considerable cost

    Egba used the occasion to assure indigenes of Rivers State in the diaspora that His Excellency, Nyesom Wike will continue to keep the welfare of state indigenes at heart at home and abroad. The event was rounded up with those in attendance feasting on their favorite Nigerian delicacies as they shower praises to God for giving them Wike.

  • We’ll soon install modular refineries in Delta, Rivers – FG

    The Federal Government on Saturday assured the Niger Delta region that the modular refineries for Delta and Rivers States will soon be delivered.

    It also said the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, would commence academic activities for the 2017/2018 academic year with 196 students.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, disclosed these in a statement made available to journalists.

    Akande said the information formed part of the highlights of a meeting of the Niger Delta Inter-Ministerial Committee presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.

    “The meeting was also briefed on the progress of the modular refineries. One set of modular refinery package shipment has since arrived in Nigeria, and after undergoing clearance at customs, would be installed in Delta State; while another set, which is expected to arrive the country in April this year, would be installed in Rivers State,” Akande said.

    He further disclosed that the operation of the modular refineries would include the involvement of communities where they were located.

    He said Osinbajo explained that the decision would ensure that the communities benefited directly from the refineries which would help create jobs and engage youths in the region.

    Akande added that the committee, in December last year, received a report that 38 licensed privately-financed greenfield and mini-modular refineries investors had so far indicated interest in the establishment of refineries in the region, with at least 10 of the licensed refineries investors at an advanced stage of development.

    He also said the Maritime University would start lectures next month.

    He said 196 students had so far been admitted into the university to commence their academic programmes, while 76 applications were still pending.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had approved an increase in the take-off grant allocated to the university from the N2bn earlier announced to N5bn.

    The sum was included in the 2018 budget presented to the National Assembly in November 2017.

    Similarly, an additional N1bn was approved by the President to support essential infrastructure works and staff recruitment in the university in November 2017.

    Akande added that the Niger Delta Development Commission also disclosed at the meeting that it completed 372 projects covering roads, bridges, electricity, water, among others, in 2017.

    He also said work was in progress on the Ogoni clean-up, and the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project under the Ministry of Environment, as it is set to commence the procurement process for contracting experts for the remediation and clean-up of impacted sites.

  • Police arrest 4 robbery suspects, recover vehicle snatched in Rivers

    The Police Command in Zamfara has arrested four suspected armed robbers and recovered a Lexus Jeep believed to have been snatched in Rivers.

    The command’s spokesman, DSP Muhammad Shehu said in a statement in Gusau on Monday that the suspects were arrested on March 3, near Talata-Mafara on Gusau-Sokoto highway.

    Shehu said the vehicle marked RSH 385 SK and one English-made pistol, were allegedly recovered from the suspects.

    “The suspects are now assisting the command with information after which they would be charged to court,” he said.

    According to him, the Police Commissioner, Mr Kenneth Embrimson has assured residents of the commitment of the command to effectively protect lives and properties and urged the people to provide useful information to track down criminals.

     

  • 2019: FG planning to grant amnesty to wanted cultists – Rivers Govt

    The Rivers State government has alleged a plot by the federal government to grant amnesty to 32 suspected cultists who were recently declared wanted by the State Security Council.

    The state government said it learnt through an intelligence report that the federal government was granting amnesty to the wanted cultists to use them for the 2019 general elections.

    The state commissioner for Information and Communication, Emma Okah, who briefed newsmen at Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday, accused the federal government of deliberately sabotaging the successes recorded by the state government in the area of security.

    Okah said, “The Rivers State Government is in receipt of credible intelligence that the federal government has concluded plans to grant amnesty to 32 cultists declared wanted by the State Security Council.

    “Details of the intelligence indicate that the federal government is granting the said cultists amnesty for the purpose of undue electoral advantage in the 2019 general elections.

    “This action is not a surprise to us because we have repeatedly said it that some officials and agencies of the federal government are frustrating the fight against violent crimes and criminality in Rivers State.

    “In particular, we have accused the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) of involvement in and aiding violent criminal activities. “This sad development, coming at a time the state is winning the war against kidnappers and cultists, is a major setback and a ploy to undermine the security of Rivers State.”

    He called on the international community, civil society organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to take notice of this deliberate act to compromise the security of Rivers State. “For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government will continue to work closely with security agencies to ensure the security of lives and property in the state,” he said.

  • Those plotting evil against Rivers will not know peace – Wike

    …says President Buhari was under pressure to declare state of emergency in Rivers

    Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has said the recent surge in crime as witnessed in the state was sponsored by some selfish politicians insisting that those plotting evil against the state will not know peace.

    The governor who was apparently angry at the spite of crime and killings in the state said the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress mounted pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency in the state.

    Wike made the remarks when he received the Anglican bishops of the Niger Delta Province on Friday. He explained that he learnt of the pressure on the President during his meeting with the Commander-in-Chief at the State House.

    The governor, however, said that the plan to make the President declare a state of emergency in Rivers failed while measures put in place by the APC leaders to achieve their aim only manifested in their states.

    He said, “When I went to see the President, he told me that he was under pressure to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.

    “Those things they planned to use in declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State fell on their own states and it became difficult to do so.”

    Wike added that due to insecurity in the country, the “evil eyes of the plotters have left Rivers State.”

    He said, “When you sit and plot evil against Rivers State, you will not know peace. If they don’t apologise for plotting and executing evil against Rivers State, they will never know peace.”

    The governor said that the state survived because of the prayers of clerics and the church.

    He urged the church to take interest in the leadership that would emerge in the country at all levels, warning that bad political leadership would affect everyone.

    “If you don’t participate in what is happening through voting, the country will degenerate further. People should acquire their Permanent Voter Cards to enthrone the leadership they desire,” he said.

    The governor pointed out that in other climes, if 10 persons were killed, the President would visit the place to assess the situation, adding that the country had become a security nightmare with 73 persons killed in Benue State recently.

    He observed that a mass burial was organised for the victims of herdsmen attacks in Benue State while the Presidency acted as if nothing happened.

    Wike restated that his administration would set up a Christian Trust Fund to cater for indigent clerics, maintaining that funds had been proposed in the 2018 budget for that purpose.

     

  • Four killed in Rivers communal clash

    Four persons were reportedly killed on Friday evening when two communities in the Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State clashed.

    The two communities; Gwara and Gwure, were said to have fought over the alleged abduction and rape of a girl from Gwara by youths from Gwure community.

    It was gathered that the girl was kidnapped and raped when she went to the neighbouring community to visit her grandmother.

    An indigene of one of the warring communities told newsmen that houses were razed in Gwure by the Gwara youth in a reprisal.

    He said, “We have called in security agents to stop further attacks in Gwure. This fight is unnecessary. Some youths attacked one another and I cannot say the exact reason for the clash, though someone said it has a link with the kidnapping of a girl.”

    The Gwure youth leader, Famous Kpakue, called on the local government council to call on more security operatives to quell the crisis.

    Reacting to the incident, the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Khana LGA, Gbene Zini, said the communal clash led to the killing of four persons.

    Zini, who spoke shortly after meeting with leaders of the warring communities, said security had been beefed up in both communities.

  • Benue, Rivers massacres: Presidency slams critics, says Buhari not in support of killings

    The Presidency on Tuesday warned critics attributing the recent killings in Benue and some other parts of the country to President Muhammadu Buhari’s support to desist as the president is always committed to the safety of lives and properties of Nigerians irrespective of religion or region.

    Several concerned citizens and stakeholders have accused the president of complacency in the killings that have cost hundreds of lives in the last two years.

    This was revealed in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

    Shehu noted that the president was “conscious of his duty to Nigerians, not least because he is held accountable for everything that goes wrong”.

    “He deeply sympathizes with the families and all the other direct and indirect victims of this violence. He is determined to bring it to a permanent end,” the statement said.

    Read the full statement:

    To find short term and long term solutions to frequent conflicts between farmers and cattle rearers, the Presidency is coming up with a conference of stakeholders on infrastructural and agricultural development to put in place a plan for immediate relief and long term plan for the expansion of agriculture in the country.

    The conference will tap into experiences and best practices to draw up a planned development 20-30 years ahead based on population and development projections and will take into consideration environmental impacts.

    President Muhammadu Buhari has been concerned about these conflicts each time he received those very gruesome pictures of mayhem from several parts of the country, especially as it affected Benue and neighbouring states. He is equally worried about some public pronouncements and finger-pointing that are, in most cases very unhelpful to peaceful coexistence of our diverse peoples.

    The President is conscious of his duty to Nigerians, not least because he is held accountable for everything that goes wrong. He deeply sympathizes with the families and all the other direct and indirect victims of this violence. He is determined to bring it to a permanent end.

    While there are many Nigerians who see the conflict between the nomadic herdsmen and peasant farmers as an ethnic problem, others point to religious differences and agenda. The President does not subscribe to such simplistic reductionism.

    President Buhari holds the view, as do many experts, that these conflicts are more often than not, as a result of major demographic changes in Nigeria. When Nigeria attained independence, the population of the country was estimated at about 63,000,000. Today the population is estimated at close to 200,000,000; while the land size has not changed and will not change. Urban sprawl and development have simply reduced land area both for peasant farming and cattle grazing.

    It is therefore both unfair and unkind, for anyone to keep insinuating that the President is condoning the spate of killings in Benue and other neighboring States.

    President Buhari has publicly condemned the violence at every turn. He is prepared to permit every possible step that can lead to the stoppage of the killings. It is on account of this he brushed aside an opinion that the federal government should challenge the constitutionality of the anti-open grazing bill. He wanted to give a chance to the State government to succeed in stopping the senseless killings.

    It will be recalled that as he did in dealing with the Boko Haram insurgency in northeast Nigeria, which required sustained action from the government before it was finally curtailed, President Buhari gave the relevant mandates to the country’s security agencies to put a stop to the Benue killings.

    The killings must stop and the security agencies have the President’s support to do this as quickly as possible.

    Whipping up hate may captivate the public and score political points on social media, but it will not bring an end to the crisis. Let every stakeholder instead sit down with the government and security forces and carry everyone along in finding an all-embracing solution.

    As a father, a military General and a statesman, President Buhari has maintained lasting relationships with Nigerians, Muslims and Christians among every ethnic group. It is also a known fact that the young people who trek the whole distance of thousands of kilometers tending the cattle do not own the cattle. In fact many of the cattle are not owned by Fulanis or Muslims. The point is that it is too simplistic to see the conflict as ethnic or religious.

    The President seeks the support and cooperation of all citizens and the media in particular, to join hands with his administration to find permanent solutions and not to aggravate or escalate tensions in all conflict areas of the country.

     

  • LIST: Gov. Wike releases names of suspected kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers in Rivers

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, in furtherance of efforts to stem the tide of crime and violence in his state, has given marching orders to security agencies to hunt down cult leaders terrorizing the state.

    Governor Wike in a comprehensive list released during a state wide broadcast on the killing of Don Wanny, said security forces should not spare any of the listed suspects.

    He said the suspects have refused to take advantage of the Amnesty offer of the state government thereby causing mayhem in different Local Government areas of the state.

    The Rivers state Governor also announced a twenty million naira bounty for anyone who offers information about the whereabouts of the suspects.

    Wike in the broadcast further blamed the All Progressive Congress led by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi for allegedly dissuading some cult groups from accepting the state’s amnesty.

    He also accused Amaechi of politicizing the security situation in the state just as he revealed that the Anti-kidnapping Law will be amended to prescribe death sentence for criminals in Rivers state.

    The Broadcast Reads:

    On the first of January 2018, the entire State and the country at large was traumatized by the callous murder of 23 innocent persons at Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area by the notorious cultist, kidnapper, terrorist and murderer Don Wanny and members of his doomed gang.

    2. When I visited the families of the victims, I placed a prize tag of N200 million for any information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of this most heinous crime against humanity.

    3. I also assured the security agencies of our further determination to continue supporting them with whatever it would take to have these criminals apprehended and brought to justice.

    4. Yesterday, 7th January 2018, we all received the news about the death of Don Wanny and two of his fellow gang members in their hideouts in Enugu State while trying to escape arrest from the security agencies that were closing in on them.

    5. Although we would have wanted Mr. Don Wanny and his gang members to have been arrested alive and put to trial for their numerous crimes and atrocities against his own people. His death, nevertheless, is a huge relief to the entire State, and therefore, most welcome development.

    6. For years the security situation in Omoku in particular, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government area in general, has been most challenging because of the criminal activities of Don Wanny and his gang.

    7. We therefore wholeheartedly thank President Muhammadu Buhari for rising to the occasion and not politicking with the issue of security. We also commend the security agencies, particularly, the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Security, for swiftly rising to the challenge in the most professional manner.

    8. There is no doubt that this heroic success has proven what is possible when our security agencies are willing to discharge their constitutional duties with unadulterated commitment and professionalism.

    9. Since 2015, we have been calling for tackling security issues devoid of political considerations in Rivers State in order to achieve maximum result. This level of commitment and professionalism as demonstrated in the Omoku case is exemplary. Therefore, we will continue to demand no less from our security agencies to keep our State safe and secure for residents, visitors and investors.

    10. As a government, we have invested heavily on the security of the State and will continue to do everything within our powers to guarantee the security and safety of lives and property throughout the State. As a fact, we will spare no cost in ensuring that nobody will have peace if the lives and property of our people make no meaning to them.

    11. However, we are deeply worried when our investments in security are deliberately prevented from yielding the desired results due largely to the recurrent tendency to politicize the federally controlled security agencies and services in the State. This is the reason why we must thank the President for doing things differently and with the support of all, a different result has been achieved.

    12. The aftermaths of crime and insecurity affect society as a whole, and not only the direct victims. Accordingly, the duty to fight crime and criminality remains collective and no right thinking person should ever indulge in politicizing security issues under any circumstance.

    13. In deed, at a time such as this, we expect political leaders to eschew political sentiments in their reactions and utterances and join forces with the State Government to address the situation and bring justice to the victims.

    14. Regrettably, instead of showing respect for the dead and genuine sympathies to the bereaved families, the leader of the All Progressives Congress and former Governor of the State prefers to exploit the unfortunate incident for political ends by disseminating wild, unguarded and inciting statements to the unsuspecting public.

    15. Contrary to his false claims and posturing the security challenge in Omoku predated our administration and Rivers State was never peaceful when he held sway as Governor. In case he has forgotten, this same Don Wanny tragically killed 32 persons in Omoku on the 14th of December 2014 under his watch as Governor. Yet, he failed to bring Don Wanny to justice.

    16. We reiterate our zero tolerance for all forms of criminality and reassure all residents of our determination to be tough with those who choose to violate our criminal laws and undermine peace and security in the State.

    17. To underscore the seriousness we attach to the fight against violent crime, we shall be amending the Anti kidnapping law to prescribe the maximum sentence for engaging in cultism, robbery and kidnapping.

    18. Our decision to offer amnesty to all repentant cultists, militants and criminals was done in good faith and in the best interest of the State. Regrettably, while the programme was on course, the former governor and his ilk dissuaded some of these criminals from sincerely embracing the amnesty. The result is the recent escalation of cult and criminal activities in parts of the State.

    19. At all times, our position on the amnesty offer is clear: those who genuinely embraced the offer are bound to fully, completely and perpetually renounce all forms of criminality and be of good behaviour in order to enjoy terms of the amnesty. The full weight of the law will be released on those who failed to embrace it.

    20. Consequently, based on reliable information by the security agencies, I hereby direct them to immediately arrest and prosecute the under-mentioned persons who have either reneged on the terms of the amnesty and or refused to embrace same by continuing with cultism, kidnapping, and armed robbery in the State:

    OGBA/EGBEMA/NDONI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

    1. OLUCHI IGWEDIBIA (a.k.a. Obatosu)
    2. Eze (a.k.a. Ugly Vulture)
    3. AUSTIN – 6i/c Iceland Omoku)
    4. Evidence
    5. TOMPOLO from Obuboru – Greenlander

    ASARI TORU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

    1. IDAYE GRANVILLE (a.k.a. Egbele)
    2. MPAKABOARI DALABU (a.k.a. Parker)

    ANDONI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

    1. ETENGO ETNEGO – MEND
    2. VICTOR EKENS – MEND

    AHOADA WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

    1. HAPPY HARRY ODULU (alias Chief Priest) Egbema-Ogbogolo
    2. AHOADA AUGUSTINE OBENE (alias Sunshine, Okogbe village)
    3. TU-MAN, P (from Idoha village)

    ELEME LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

    1. MBAJO – DEYGBAM

    EMOHUA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

    1. GOODLUCK IGONIKA – ICELAND
    2. JUSTICE ORDAH (a.k.a. ADC) – ICELAND
    3. SUNNY KEMJIKA WOVODO – DEYGBAM
    4. ONYEMA UWOBO – ICELAND

    IKWERRE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

    1. JONATHAN NKEMIJIKA (alias School Boy)

    GOKANA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

    1. BARIJASI FRIMA (DAYWELL) – BOMU
    2. ELVIS KOOYA (DAYGBAM) – BODO
    3. GIOBARA POIBA – K/DERE
    4. BONIFACE PAAGO (a.k.a. Chairman) – BODO

    OMUMA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

    1. JOHN WALA – DEYWELL
    2. IHECHIMERE NWAYINWU – DEYWELL
    3. BRIGHT OKERE – DEYWELL

    AKUKU TORU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

    1. OSELA JACK – GREENLANDER

    DEGEMA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

    1. LUCKY MILLER – DEYGBAM
    2. SOMINBA BIABO –
    3. OROLOBO NELSON – ICELAND
    4. WATER BABY – ICELAND
    5. DANIEL BOBMANUEL – GREENLANDER

    ETCHE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

    1. UCHECHKWU OKERE (A.K.A TOGO – DEYGBAM

    21. The Rivers State Government will pay N20 million to any person who volunteers useful information that would lead to the arrest and prosecution of any of the afore-mentioned persons.

    22. Finally, we wish to reassure Rivers people once again of our commitment to support the security agencies to guarantee the safety and security of lives and property across the State.

     

  • Rivers massacre: Wike devilishly refused to halt violence, killings in Rivers – Amaechi

    The former Governor of Rivers state and now Minister of Transport, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has condemned the New Year Day massacre in Omoku community in Rivers state while accusing his successor Governor Nyesom Wike of deliberately refusing to halt violence and killings in the state.

    The transport minister who accused the Governor of failing to keep to the oath he swore upon assuming office as the chief security officer of the state by protecting the lives of the Rivers people, however, called on the Governor to resign from office.

    Amaechi who gave the statement in a recorded broadcast he addressed to Rivers people, said that Wike lacks the political will and has “devilishly refused to halt the violence and killings, and restore some level of sanity in the State because of their mischievous politics and voodoo electoral calculations.”

    He however said that while he was the Governor of the state, that he took the protection of the lives of Rivers people very seriously.

    The Transport Minister however lamented how the wanton killings in Rivers have made the state to be referred to as “Rivers of Blood” under the current leadership of the Wike-led administration.

    Amaechi who condemned Wike’s blaming of the massacre and insecurity in the state on opposition politicians and oil companied also said that “the governor and Chief Security Officer of the State who swore an oath to protect us must now protect us or resign from office.”

    According to him, Wike’s “repugnant attempt at finger pointing, blaming oil companies, opposition politicians and everyone else apart from himself, is a clear indication that he has abdicated his primary constitutional responsibility to safeguard lives and property.”

    He also said that “We cannot continue to live like this. We will no longer tolerate his inability and/or refusal to protect defenseless citizens. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.”

    Saying the bloodbath in Rivers is enough, the minister also added that “The Omoku massacre is the breaking point where we must all collectively rise up and raise our voices to say we’ve had enough.”

    “Amaechi’s words in full: ” In the past few years, we have suffered and endured a debilitating state of insecurity in Rivers state. Many lives have been cut short while many more have been maimed. Hopes and dreams have been dashed; families distraught and destroyed. Murderous cult groups and rival gangs reign supreme. Our once peaceful State has lost its serenity and lustre. We are now been derisively referred to as ‘Rivers of Blood’.
    However, the killings in Omoku in the first few hours of this new year and the uninspiring, inept, blame-game response of a State government that swore to an oath to protect every Rivers man and woman should collectively compel us to action and scream that we’ve had enough of the insecurity and bloodbath.
    In the early hours of New Year’s Day, defenceless residents of Omoku were gruesomely attacked and murdered on their way home from the new year cross over night church service. 23 men, women and children were murdered in the attack. In the first couple of days of this new year, people have also been murdered in Andoni and Egbeda.
    “Some 48 hours after the Omoku massacre, the response of the governor and government of Rivers State whose primary responsibility is to protect you from these kind of attacks was a gabble blather about a two hundred million naira bounty and to launch another round of attacks on me because I politely advised them to protect Rivers people or resign from office.
    “Like most of you, I was shocked, utterly disgusted to hear the man, who, I must repeat, took an oath to protect you, attempts to justify and casually explain away the cold-blooded murder of innocent Rivers people in Omoku on New Year’s Day. The governor’s attempt to justify and compare the Omoku murders or any other killings in Rivers State to whatever is happening in any other part of the country is a deceitful, poisonous narrative that we must never allow to flourish. The governor’s repugnant attempt at finger pointing, blaming oil companies, opposition politicians and everyone else apart from himself, is a clear indication that he has abdicated his primary constitutional responsibility to safeguard lives and property.
    “You know, and many outside Rivers State know that the nature and type of insecurity, violence and carnages in the State are unique and peculiar to the State. The madness in Rivers State since the advent of these NEW men of power is rooted firmly in the witchcraft politics of those who now preside over the affairs of the State. They lack the political will and have devilishly refused to halt the violence and killings, and restore some level of sanity in the State because of their mischievous politics and voodoo electoral calculations.
    “Let no one deceive you with a twisted narrative on the origins, causes and solutions to the bloodbath in Rivers State. Most of you can attest to how I battled and tackled insecurity when I served as your governor. I led the fight against the cultists, gangs, thugs and criminals masquerading as militants; they were driven out from hiding, many fled the State. I was able to do that because I was never in bed with the criminals; I never appointed any into political office or crowned any king. The administration I led was able to return the State to serenity from the horrible state of insecurity and violence we met when we took over. Rivers people enjoyed peace until the months leading up to the 2015 general elections when these ‘new’ men of power in the state introduced unprecedented violence and killings in the State.
    “We cannot continue to live like this. The Omoku massacre is the breaking point where we must all collectively rise up and raise our voices to say we’ve had enough. The governor and Chief Security Officer of the State who swore an oath to protect us must now protect us or resign from office. We will no longer tolerate his inability and/or refusal to protect defenceless citizens. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
    “My thoughts and prayers are with all who lost loved ones in the Omoku attack, as we continue to pray for the repose of the souls of those who were murdered. I assure you that the federal government will begin to protect you.
    I wish everyone the very best and a peaceful, happy new year.”