Wike places bounty on two more wanted men as he assures Rivers won’t be annexed by separatists
Gov Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has again placed a bounty on two suspected but notorious men of violence who he said had made Ohoada areas of the state dangerous. The governor told a delegation from the two local councils of Ahoada West and East that he would soon take out the two he named as VIP and Comasi. He called them gang leaders.
The governor however blamed failure of parents to inculcate moral values and discipline in their children for the prevailing social vices, and urged the leaders of Ekpeye nationality to collaborate with government to tackle the menace of kidnapping and other criminal activities in both Ahoada West and Ahoada East Local Government Areas.
Wike used the opportunity to reassure the people of the state against any attempt to annex the state to any other place. He said those riding on the hospitality of the people to hatch their secessionist agenda must take such clandestine activities elsewhere.
He told the traditional rulers, political and opinion leaders of Ekpeye nationality who paid a solidarity visit at Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday his administration would leave no stone unturned in protecting the state and its people against such persons who think they can annex the state by dragging it into their separatist agenda.
“Rivers State does not belong to any other place. It is an autonomous State. Nobody in other State can come and tell us that we are with them, No. So, I will not allow anybody to enter this State to tell us that we are part of them. We will do everything we can to protect the interest of our State.
“We are a friendly people. We will not allow anybody to come here and do business. But nobody should go beyond doing business to hoist unnecessary flag here. We will not take it.”
The governor advised Ekpeye people not to leave anything to chance anymore, but to be vigilant to know what happens around and within their communities.
He urged them to report movements that they do not trust, that looks suspicious so that proper action can be taken to avert any possible attack. “Nigeria has collapsed. Security has also collapsed. There is no day you won’t hear ten people have been killed, 20 people have been killed, 30 have been kidnapped.
“There is no assurance of protection of life anymore. You owe it now to yourselves to protect your life. Be vigilant.
“When they say there is curfew, obey. It is for your own interest. Now that we have put that curfew, we are watching how crime rate is going down.” Speaking further, Governor Wike enjoined the two chairmen of Ahoada West and Ahoada East councils, including the traditional rulers to stop administering the area from Port Harcourt, the State capital.
Leader of the delegation, Prof. Dulu Appah said Ekpeye people are grateful to Governor Wike for the numerous development projects sited in the area.
“Indeed for us, the Ekpeye Ethnic Nation we make bold to say without fear of contradiction that the democratic dividend we have enjoyed during your administration has made us the envy of other ethnic groups in the State.