Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has directed security agencies to clampdown on cult activities and violent crimes in four local government areas of the state.
Addressing thousands of Rivers People at Omoku on Monday during a Special Security Town Hall Meeting, Governor Wike said the meeting which had in attendance Security Service Commanders and the Commissioner for Police was aimed at restoring peace to Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni, ONELGA, Abua/Odual, Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas of the state.
He said that the insecurity in the four local government areas had nothing to do with politics, pointing out that it was a move to stem the tide of cult-related killings in ONELGA, kidnapping, armed robbery and communal clashes in the other three local government areas.
Governor Wike said henceforth, security agencies have been mandated to take appropriate actions against those who shield cultists, kidnappers and armed robbers in the four local government areas.
According to him, nobody will be allowed to stop the development programmes of the state government on the account of insecurity. He charged traditional, political and religious leaders to work with the state government and security agencies to identify the criminals for the purpose of the restoration of peace.
He said: “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.”
The governor said that the operation of commercial motorcyclists in the four local government areas remains banned between 5pm and 8am daily.
Governor Wike said: “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 ” .
In his address, Caretaker Committee Chairman, Mr Isaac Umejuru assured Governor Wike and security agencies of the cooperation of the people to ensure that peace returns to the communities.
Earlier, Governor Wike visited the Eze-Oba of Ogbaland, Sir Chukwumela Nnam Obi to seek the support of traditional rulers in the fight against insecurity in the affected communities.
The Eze-Oba of Ogbaland, Sir Chukwumela Nnam Obi prayed God to grant the security agencies the capacity to apprehend the perpetrators of violence in the area.
