Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has directed security agencies
to clampdown on cult activities and violent crimes in four local
government areas of the state.
Also, Governor Wike announced the suspension of the Caretaker Committee
Chairmen of Abua/Odual, Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government
Areas for failing to mobilize their stakeholders to attend the
Special Security Town Hall Meeting for Orashi region.
Addressing thousands of Rivers People at Omoku on Monday during a Special
Security Town Hall Meeting, Governor Wike said the meeting which had
in attendance Security Service Commanders and the Commissioner for
Police was aimed at restoring peace to Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni, ONELGA,
Abua/Odual, Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas of the
state.
He said that the insecurity in the four local government areas had
nothing to do with politics, pointing out that it was a move to stem the
tide of cult-related killings in ONELGA, kidnapping, armed robbery and
communal clashes in the other three local government areas.
Governor Wike said henceforth, security agencies have been mandated
to take appropriate actions against those who shield cultists,
kidnappers and armed robbers in the four local government areas.
According to him, nobody will be allowed to stop the development
programmes of the state government on the account of insecurity. He
charged traditional, political and religious leaders to work with the
state government and security agencies to identify the criminals for
the purpose of the restoration of peace.
He said: “Nobody is happy. I am not happy. The service Commanders are not
happy. These cultists and criminals are not from Lagos, Kaduna or
Ebonyi. They are indigenes of these communities and the people know
them. Therefore, everyone must cooperate with the security agencies to
resolve these security challenges.”
The governor said that the operation of commercial motorcyclists in the
four local government areas remains banned between 5pm and 8am daily.
Governor Wike said: “We must put an end to the ugly situation in these
four local government areas. Enough is enough. We cannot allow these
criminals to kill innocent people ” .
In his address, Caretaker Committee Chairman, Mr Isaac Umejuru assured
Governor Wike and security agencies of the cooperation of the people
to ensure that peace returns to the communities.
Earlier, Governor Wike visited the Eze-Oba of Ogbaland, Sir Chukwumela
Nnam Obi to seek the support of traditional rulers in the fight against
insecurity in the affected communities.
The Eze-Oba of Ogbaland, Sir Chukwumela Nnam Obi prayed God to grant the
security agencies the capacity to apprehend the perpetrators of
violence in the area.