Governor Nyesom Wike of the People's Democratic Party, has lamented on the incessant attacks and intimidation of people in the LGAs by military operatives allegedly loyal to the ruling party.
Nyesom Wike
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, cried out yesterday, saying three local government areas in the state are under military siege, according to the National Mirror.
He also said the recent series of co-ordinated attacks in communities are coming ahead of the State and National Assembly rerun elections in the state. Wike in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, further alleged that the politically motivated attacks have left in their trail deaths, blood, destruction and open intimidation.
The governor said the attacks by soldiers and policemen took place in Gokana, Asari-Toru and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas, respectively.
The statement reads;
“One recurring decimal in these three deadly invasions is the fact that one Major Mustapha features in all of them. Major Mustapha, a Pro-APC military officer, was the Rivers State APC star witness during the hearing of election petitions in Abuja.
“At Asari-Toru LGA on 6th January, 2016, Major Mustapha and his team of dare-devil soldiers and mobile policemen invaded the residences of the caretaker council chairman, Ambassador Soboma Jackrich, destroying his homes and valuables before killing about five youths.
“They also abducted 50 youths and women, who were taken to Port Harcourt. “The same scenario played out in Bua Yeghe in Gokana Local Government Area, where Major Mustapha and his illegal politically motivated squad attacked the home of Chief Solomon Ndigbara, a former Niger Delta agitator.
"They burnt his home before abducting his wife and 70 other youths. The Major Mustapha illegal squad also attacked the home of Chief Ndigbara in Port Harcourt, damaging the facility.
“On 13th January, 2016, the soldiers and mobile policemen were at ONELGA where they unleashed mayhem on lives and property. The residents of the area are still counting their losses,” it said.
The statement alleged that wherever ‘Mustapha’ and his team of security operatives struck, they were accompanied by known APC thugs. It further said that no amount of intimidation will make the APC to become popular in the state, saying, “Rivers people are enjoying good governance and first class performance under Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. They have therefore, committed themselves to the PDP."