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No, Never Again …That Resurgence Of Gang Killings
The killing last week of 15 people by suspected cultists in some Egi communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State conjures a sad reminder of the days preceding September 2007, when, Port Harcourt, the state capital and environs were under siege. Those were days when, residents went about hands-in-the-air, in response to Joint Task Force (JTF) command, meant to fish out cult gangs’ members.
It was indeed a gory site picturing pregnant women, the aged, and innocent men, women and children subjected to such rigorous search and stress while , the real culprits were away in the creeks and swamps. That JTF exercise was for a purpose.
Port Harcourt in particular and parts of the state had become one huge battle ground, as rival cult-groups daily felled enemy combatants in a war of supremacy.
On a daily basis major streets, roads and walkways were littered with dead bodies which deaths could not be explained.
But a more worrisome slant was that of frequent kidnapping, with outrageous demands for ramson. Community chiefs, Catholic Priests, top government officials and even private individuals were not spared, giving the picture that it was not an entirely politically motivated siege.
Thriving alongside the Niger Delta struggle for political integration, economic empowerment and socio-cultural relevance, it was too difficult to differentiate cult gangs from militants, as oil pipelines were frequently attacked with very disastrous consequences.
When however, the Musa Yar’Adua Presidency pronounced amnesty, there was not a need to differentiate the wheat from the chaff and all became beneficiaries of the government’s rehabilitation package, against protests by many who did not see all beneficiaries as deserving of such gesture.
Infact, the government of Rivers State under the watch of Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi made strenuous efforts to fight the cult war and personally led teams in search of them in the various hideouts. With that sincerity of purpose and strong political will demonstrated by government, cult gangs went to sleep and peace was restored.
Before then, senseless killings, gang-wars and street violence had claimed thousands of lives at peace time. Some said the cult groups were creations of ambitious politicians with the intent of influencing electoral outcomes by force, while, others called them creations of the larger society as a sad credential of a failed state that could not provide for the most vulnerable in the societal chain-the youth.
Those in the first school insisted that many of the cult leaders were thugs, sorry supporters of various politicians that were shortchanged after various electoral exercises, while others insist they were criminal gangs that benefitted from the political cover given by the larger society. The bottom-line is that none of them was innocent, whether protesting against erstwhile sponsors or benefiting from a confused political atmosphere.
In some communities, such gang heads were lords and even superintended over community affairs while, chiefs and elders were cowed into silence. Those who summoned the courage to protest the displacement of the status quo learnt their lessons the hardway and did not live to share their experiences.
Such was the manner of criminal siege that enveloped parts of the state and which caused various Churches to fast and pray until the Amaechi government got it right and later the pronouncement of amnesty for Niger Delta militants.
Strangely but surely those dark days Rivers people wished to forget are coming back with daily reports of one murder or another or entire communities under siege.
In the case of Egi community, media reports said suspected gunmen July 31, this year invaded the area, killing 15 people. The invasion covered seven communities, with a source saying the invaders went in a bus , fully armed.
The affected communities include Obagi, Ede, Obite, Egi Town, Obieze, Obimiri and Akabuka. Once there, according to a resident, Elder Obinache Anthony, the invaders started shooting sporadically, and in the end, killing 15 people at peace time.
It is not yet clear if the invasion was a fresh attack by one armed gang or one in reprisal. But many of those killed are said to be innocent, as is often the case in inter-gang wars.
Not too long ago, some Andoni communities also boiled as residents scampered for safety following similar attacks. In that experience, at least two were reportedly killed while, other residents had to flee from their homes. They became refugees in their own land.
These are merely few examples of the fresh cult-related violence that appears to be resurging. And at disturbing degrees. Infact, in some communities residents now sleep with two eyes open, unsure of what the breaking day will announce.
Such is the level of fear, apprehension and uncertainty some communities in Rivers State have been subjected to, as sounds of gunfire frequently light the nights while, the days break with gory tales of fresh deaths.
What are we fighting for? Is this all in preparation for 2015? Is any body’s election worth anyone’s blood? Have those youngmen and women, daily used for the politically-motivated ring of violence, ever wondered if children of their sponsors are part of the senseless wars? How much is the worth of life to such sponsors? What happens beyond 2015 when, the elections must have been lost and won?
What will the sponsors do with the dangerous monster they are grooming today, when fully equipped with lethal weapons they get out of control and demand their due? Can the sponsors of armed gangs recover such weapons afterwards with the same ease with which they now equip them?
These questions have become necessary because they form the nucleus of the now thriving business. Gradually, armed political gangs are re-emerging and building up arms in readiness for battle against enemy gangs. To be relevant to their sponsors, such groups must main and shoot to kill at the slightest provocation to justify their funding and at other times attack to send fear to opponents.
From one attack to a reprisal and a reprisal for yet another and the cycle of violence continues. All the dead are not merely gang-members, there are innocent others often caught in crossfire. Yet, blood and more blood must flow, as they often say.
These are strange times when, the threat which Boko Haram poses to the nation can no longer be seen as a strictly Northern worry, and thus requires vigilance on the part of every citizen. It is a time when all Nigerians ought to embrace peace and unity to withstand the uncertainties which the thriving terror-based insurgency holds against a nation and its peoples.
To ignore the resurgence of cult gangs and look-away as the youth of the state engage in bitter and senseless blood letting and meaningless violence would spell a greater doom to not just the state’s economy but indeed the socio-cultural imperatives that make us Rivers.
Some of these activities may appear distant of the undiscerning but by its nature, violence spreads like bush fire if not promptly checked. Silence means planting a time-bomb that spares none, discerning or undiscerning..
This indeed is the challenge the security agencies must brace-up for now, before it get out of hand. The State Police Command and the Joint Task Force (JTF) must start now to identify gang-leaders and their sponsors, and move to contain them before they consume us, our economy, our night–life, our education and our pride as Rivers people.
It is suggested in some quarters that most of such groups are already known to the security agencies and are being watched closely. If so, that siege on Egi communities would have been prevented. The unrest that sacked some Andoni communities would have been averted also.
These questions that theory and raises another as to the neutrality of the forces. No armed gang survives without and influential sponsor who, at all times helps to secure the release of arrested members from the hands of the Police. Infact in the heat of the cult wars, there were stories of some Police officers getting initiated and through such contacts, the gangs could read the Police Command’s every move.
To succeed therefore, the security agencies must be a political and deal decisively with culprit. They must be bold enough to question and expose sponsors o such cult gangs, without whom the ring of violence would be less-glamorous, to the ordinary followers.
For now, the Police Command owes Rivers people full-account of the Egi invasion, the principal actors, their motive, sponsors and modus operandi. It should indeed be a test case of police readiness to combat cult-based violence against which Rivers people have repeatedly prayed.
My Agony is that the politics of stomach infrastructure is not limited to social engineering alone. Men in uniform are not from the moon but of the same societal stock, that go hungry, get greedy atimes and die of strife like others. Such gullible lot succumbs to the whims of the cult groups’ pay masters. That is indeed the danger we face.
Soye Wilson Jamabo
Suleiman Abba
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DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.