Rivers State Governor, Nyesom
Ezenwo Wike has declared that the State Government will amend the State
Anti-kidnapping Law to prescribe death sentence for criminals involved in
cultism, robbery and kidnapping.
In a statewide broadcast on
Monday on the killing of Johnson Igwedibia, alias Don Wanny, Governor Wike
stated that the Rivers State Government had zero tolerance for crime and
criminality, hence it would continue to take measures to protect lives and
property.
He said: “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.
“To underscore the seriousness we
attach to the fight against violent crime, we shall be amending the Anti
kidnapping law toprescribe the maximum sentence for engaging in cultism,
robbery and kidnapping”.
Governor Wike stated that the
amnesty programme of the state government which generated peace and was largely
successful, was compromised by the immediate past Governor of Rivers State,
Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who he said prevailed on the Federal Government and the
security agencies to sabotage it.
He emphasised that APC leaders in
Rivers State worked against the Amnesty Programme.
He said: “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, some opposition leaders in our state, especially the former
governor, unhappy with the successes recorded, dissuaded some armed militants
and cultists from sincerely embracing the amnesty.
“Indeed, they also persuaded the
Federal Government not to support the programme and other security measures we
had recommended. 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.
“Even now, instead of showing
respect for the dead and genuine sympathies to the bereaved families of this
dastardly act, the former Governor prefers to further exploit the unfortunate
incident for political ends by making wild, unguarded and inciting statements
against the State Government. However, we leave him to the judgment of God and
posterity.”
Governor Wike said contrary to
Amaechi’s false claims and posturing, the security challenge in Omoku predated
the current administration.
He said Rivers State was never
peaceful when Amaechi held sway as Governor, noting that the same Don Wanny
tragically killed 32 persons in Omoku on the 14th of December 2014 under
Amaechi , who failed to bring Don Wanny to justice.
Governor Wike said: “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.
“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.
“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.”
The governor stated that the
position of the state government on the amnesty offer was clear as those who genuinely
embraced the offer were bound to fully, completely and perpetually renounce all
forms of criminality to enjoy terms of the amnesty or face the full weight of
the law when they deviated from the programme.
He said: “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.”
The governor listed 32 cultists
from 12 local government areas to have been arrested and prosecuted by the
security agencies.
While reassuring the security
agencies of the support of the Rivers State Government as they discharge their
responsibility of maintaining law and order, he said, “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.
“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.
” 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”, the governor said.
While recalling his visit to the
families of the victims of the ugly Omoku Violence on January 1, 2018 where he
pledged a N200million bounty for information on the perpetrators, Governor Wike
said the death of Don Wanny and his murderous gang is a welcome development.
He said: “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.”
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