RIVERS: Wike Suspends Three LGA Caretaker Chairmen

Nyesom Wike

RIVERS State Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike on Tuesday announced the suspension of the three Caretaker Committee Chairmen on account of absence from a special town meeting on security scheduled with all the stakeholders over the present insecurity situation in the state.

The affected three interim council boss are Oye Igeniwari (Abua/Odual LGA), Eniton Iyalla (Ahoada-West LGA) and Ikashi Douglas Umegbewe (Ahoada-East LGA).

It will be recalled that no fewer than 25 persons lost their lives through unknown gunmen over cult related clashes and activities in the penultimate week believably leading to the governor’s recent visit as well as the security town hall meeting. According to reports, the governor also issued a directive to the security agencies to fish out the culprits to face the wrath of the law.

Wike while condemning the act categorically disagreed that politics could reasonably be responsible and maintained  that on no account could politics be allowed to extend to cult-related killings,  kidnapping, armed robbery and communal clashes in a civilized society.

The governor also disclosed that security agencies have been detailed to take appropriate actions against those who shield cultists, kidnappers and armed robbers in the four local government areas adding that nobody will be allowed to constitute a barricade to the development programmes of his administration.

Appealing for peace and tranquility in state, the governor also charged all everyone to give peace a change or be ready to face the full weight of the law as the state government will not hesitate to ensure that anyone caught is brought to book. Wike also called on traditional, political and  religious leaders to work with the state government  and security agencies towards restoing peace in the affect3ed areas, and to identify  those behind the heinous crimes.

“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.

“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,” Wike said.