‘Steer Clear Of Rivers State’, Wike Warns IPOB

The governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has warned those “bent on causing violence to steer clear of Rivers territory.”

The governor was reacting to the attack on the Hausa community by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB at Oyigbo Local Government area of the state.

In a state-wide broadcast, Wike announced that Rivers state is in total support of the corporate existence of Nigeria.

He said any Nigerian who wishes to reside or conduct businesses in the state was “heartily welcome”, adding that his administration will not tolerate any attack by any group residents of the State.

Governor Wike said, “The Rivers State Government is seriously concerned with the recent activities of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), particularly the attack on Nigerian citizens living in Rivers State.

“Rivers people fully subscribe to Nigeria’s corporate existence and its indivisibility.

“As a people we shall continue to support the unity and peaceful co-existence of all ethnic nationalities and work towards actualizing our collective aspirations for a just, inclusive and progressive nation.

“Rivers State belongs to all those who live in it. We heartily welcome any Nigerian who wishes to reside here and go about with his or her lawful businesses. Therefore, we shall not tolerate any attack by any group on other Nigerians living in Oyigbo or any other part of the State. We warn trouble makers those who are bent on causing violence on others to steer clear of Rivers territory.

“For months on end, we have been receiving reports from traumatized victims who had been robbed of theirs valuables by SARS operatives under the guise of conducting searches on the victims.

“They employ several malevolent methods, including planting illicit drugs on their unsuspecting victims as bargaining chip or forcefully taking them to ATM boots to collect specified amount of money as ransom for their freedom.

“Although the veracity of these allegations can only be fully established through an independent probe, the recent killing of a SARS operative while carrying out a kidnap operation by the Inspector General of Police’s Special Squad clearly lends credence to SARS direct involvement in criminal activities across the State.”