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