Rivers killings: Wike places N200m bounty on perpetrators

Following the Crossover night shootout in which 17 persons were killed in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government of  Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike, has placed a N200 million bounty for information that will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the massacre.

Speaking on Tuesday when he led the Rivers State Security Council on a fact-finding/sympathy visit to the families of the victims, the Governor pledged that anyone was connected in any way with the crime would have his/her houses forfeited to the government..

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 “.

Governor Wike added that all those linked to the Omoku violence will face the full weight of the law.

“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”, he said.

The governor commiserated with the families of the deceased, saying that the State Government will support them in burying their loved ones. He added 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 Danny where the Rivers State Governor commended security agencies for working hard to improve the security of the state.

He also visited those injured during the attack.

The governor also visited the scenes of the crime where he 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.

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.

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.

Governor Wike was accompanied to Omoku by the Brigade Commander of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General 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, Mr Tosin Ajayi.