22nd November, 2015
The Rivers Progressives Front (RPF) has alleged that loyalists of the Governor Nyesom Wike’s administration are responsible for most of the violence and kidnappings bedevilling Rivers State.
The group further alleged that those behind the act are “part of the group he deployed for the rigging, maiming and killings that characterised the April sham elections in Rivers State”.
A statement by the RPF spokesman, Elder Tamuno Iyalla, said the group “is terribly concerned about this trend of things that has almost totally disorganised and dislocated social and economic life in our dear state. But more worrying is the emerging pieces of evidence that the supporters of Gov. Wike are also those behind the heightened state of violence and insecurity in Rivers State. On Thursday, some people were arrested by the police at Ada-George Road with three AK-47 rifles and 300 ammunition given to them. Based on their confession, they were given the arms by an official of Emohua Local Government. As we make this gruesome development public in this press release, Gov. Nyesom Wike is putting pressure on the police to release the suspects”.
The RPF called on the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Musa Kimo, to ensure that his men resist pressure from Nyesom Wike and thoroughly investigate the matter and prosecute the suspects according to law.
“We remind the commissioner of police to realise that his reputation and office are being endangered by the activities of criminals who enjoy the support of Wike’s government officials. This is the time for the commissioner to bring to the knowledge of all Rivers people and Nigerians that the intractable violence and insecurity in Rivers State are all induced and sustained by the present Rivers State government officials, directly and indirectly,” the group said.