Commission(NDDC), Dr. Joy Nunieh from an attempted abduction.
The governor called on the Inspector General of Police to investigate
the circumstances that led to over 50 armed policemen storming the Port
Harcourt residence of Dr. Nunieh at 4 a.m on Thursday, July 16, 2020.
Governor Wike said he was on ground to frustrate the attempted
abduction, and berated the ‘self-styled’ armed policemen who claimed to
be members of the Inspector General Monitoring Unit.
The governor said under a civilized society, the proper thing to do is
to invite her to answer any allegation. Adding that to storm her
residence at such an unholy hour, the governor said, suggests some
sinister motive that should not be tolerated.
“What has happened today is a disgrace. Who knows what would have
happened to her if they had gained access to her main room. I went there
personally to see things for myself and rescued her.
“She is supposed to testify before the House of Representatives
Committee and here we are having armed men wanting to abduct her.
“We came out to protect our daughter and we will do so to every Rivers
citizen. That is the oath of office I swore to. It doesn’t matter the
political affiliation. We will not allow anybody to destroy Rivers
state.
“It is so unfortunate and I cry for this country concerning the ways
things are going. They didn’t have a warrant of arrest, but would storm
somebody’s house? In fact, the State Commissioner of Police is not
aware.
” So, tell me how something will happen in a state and the Commissioner
of Police is not aware. They said its the Inspector General Monitoring
Unit. So, we have such a Unit taking over the responsibility of
crime-fighting in a state and the Commissioner of Police is not aware. I
can also assume too that the Inspector General of Police is not aware.
He should investigate it, ” he said.
The governor also called on governors of states that make up the NDDC to
ensure that their citizens do not have a hand in the planned abduction
of the former Managing Director of NDDC.
“If there is any allegation of crime against her, I will not back her,
but you can’t kill her for no established crime. I don’t know who’s
responsible, but whoever is behind it should not take Rivers state for
granted because we will fight back.
“From what has happened now, I want to say that Rivers State is fully
out. Anybody who is responsible for this attempted abduction of our
daughter should know that enough is enough.
“They can’t treat her like a common criminal. I am sure that President
Muhammadu Buhari is not aware of this.
“All the Niger Delta States should find out if any of their citizens
have a hand in the unfortunate incident and call on such people to leave
our daughter alone. She is no longer the Managing Director of NDDC.
“The way things are going now, it seems people want to destroy Rivers
State and it is unacceptable.
“Using the police to carry out the abduction of citizens should not be
encouraged. A similar incident had happened in this state before when
they wanted to use the same style to abduct a serving Judge.
Dr. Joi Nunieh who thanked Governor Wike for coming to her rescue said
the armed policemen came about 4am, broke into her premises but were
stopped by the security door leading to her main room.
“Those who told me the Commissioner of Police was downstairs, lied
because it was his deputy that actually came. I opened the door, and
they wanted to grab me, I now pushed back the door and locked it and
went upstairs.
“So, my Governor came, asked them for the warrant of arrest, and why
they did not invite me to the police station instead of attempting to
abduct a woman like a criminal.
“The governor took me away in his car and I am taking refuge in
Government House. I want to thank His Excellency for keeping to his word
that nothing should happen to the daughter of Rivers State.
“I was supposed to be going to Abuja today to make my submission before
the Committee of the House of Representatives. I am sure the motive was
to stop me,” she said.