Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has redeemed his pledge of
N20 Million to each family of the ten security personnel killed by
members of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) in Oyigbo
Local Government.
Governor Wike had on Wednesday last week during a condolence visit to
the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan, announced the
donation of N20MILLION to each family of the four policemen and six Army
killed by IPOB members in Oyigbo.
The cheques were presented to the bereaved widows at the State Police
Command and 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in Port Harcourt, respectively on
Tuesday.
Governor Wike said the gesture is in fulfillment of his earlier promise
to alleviate the plight of the widows and their children.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Wennike
Danagogo, the governor described the murder of the security personnel by
IPOB members as unacceptable and should be condemned by every
right-thinking Nigerian.
Governor Wike told the Commissioner of Police that Government will not
tolerate any terrorist group like IPOB in the state or allow them to
kill any innocent citizen, particularly policemen and soldiers who are
defending and protecting citizens of the state.
“As a Governor who matches his words with action, he has sent us to come
and redeem that promise and to present the cheques of 20 Million each to
the widows of the four police officers killed by IPOB.”
Governor Wike assured the State Commissioner of Police that the State
will always stand with the police to fight crime.
In his response, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mukan, on behalf
of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu thanked Governor Wike
for fulfilling his promise.
He said the police have recovered some arms and arrested some persons
who have made confessional statements. According to him, 22 persons have
been charged to court.
Similarly, at the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Governor
Wike commiserated with the Nigerian Army, the widows and families of the
6 soldiers killed by IPOB.
He said Rivers State Government will ensure that the criminal elements
who killed the soldiers and cart away their arms and ammunition are
arrested and prosecuted.
“The Governor made a pronouncement that he will give a token sum of 20
Million to each of the widows of the slain soldiers. So, we are here to
fulfil that promise to give cheques to the widows so that they can be
able to survive in the absence of their breadwinners” he said
In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian
Army, Major General Orlu Irefin expressed the gratitude on behalf of the
Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Yusuf Buratai and the entire
Nigerian Army to the Rivers State Governor for the kind gesture to the
widows of the slain soldiers.
He dispelled fake news in social media on the activities of the Army in
Oyigbo, emphasizing that action of the Army in the area is within the
ambit of the law and rules of engagement
Danagogo was accompanied by the Commissioner for Information and
Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim and Commissioner for Social
Welfare, Mrs. Inime Aguma.
