Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has promised a N200 million reward to whoever comes up with information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the New Year Day killing in Omoku in Ogba/ Egbeman/Ndoni Local Government Area.
Wike said all those linked to the Omoku violence will face the full weight of the law, adding that he was pained by what happened.
The governor, who made the pledge yesterday after he led the state security council on a fact-finding/ sympathy visit to the families of the deceased, noted that the arrest of the perpetrators was a priority while strengthening security in the area.
Wike, who also visited those injured during the attack, their family members as well as the sites of the crime, received briefing from the Nigerian Police Area Commander, Mr. Mike Nwafor and the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA) Local Government Council Caretaker Chairman, Mr. Olisa Osi.
Some of those murdered in cold blood include: Favour Odili, Saviour Amirinze, Augustine Ordu, Precious Ordu, Wisdom Ordu, Jennifer Ohia and Innocent Ohia. Others are: Reuben Idogu, Baby Idogu, Ngozi Ogbuanukwu, Oyi Ogadinma, Nwagaego Ogadinma and Uche Onige.
He said: “We have placed a N200 million bounty for relevant information that will lead to the arrest of all those involved in this unfortunate act of violence. “Anybody who is connected to this crime in any way will have his/her houses forfeited to the government.
This place has been peaceful before this unfortunate mayhem. “We will not allow another case of this violence. We have mobilised the security agencies to take the battle to the perpetrators. “You cannot shed innocent blood and go free.
We are working with all the security agencies to do everything possible to arrest the perpetrators.
They must pay for this.” While commiserating with the families of the deceased, he promised that the state government will support them in burying their loved ones, just as he said that the state government will also settle the medical bills of those receiving treatment at different hospitals. He said: “I am pained by this unfortunate mayhem. Enough is enough.”
The governor and the service commanders also visited the residence of wanted cultist, Don Waney, where the Rivers State Governor commended security agencies for working hard to improve the security of the state.
Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area, Mr. Osi Olisa, informed the governor that 17 persons lost their lives as a result of the attack. In an interview, Prophetess Comfort Ordu, who lost her husband and three of her children, said they were dragged out of their home and killed by the perpetrators.
The governor was accompanied to Omoku by the Brigade Commander of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brig-Gen. A.A Bande; the Commander of Joint Task Force, Colonel M.N Madi; Rivers State Deputy Police Commissioner, Ahmed Magaji and Rivers State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Tosin Ajayi
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