Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has pledged to take decisive action against those responsible for the recent arson attacks on three local government secretariats in the state. Fubara emphasized that these incidents will not be overlooked, promising that his administration will collaborate closely with security agencies to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The attacks, which occurred on Monday, targeted the Ikwere and Emohua Local Government Council secretariats. This violence followed the withdrawal of police officers from all 23 local council secretariats by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, leaving these facilities vulnerable to assault.
During the swearing-in ceremony for four new commissioners at the Executive Chambers of the Government House in Port Harcourt, Fubara expressed his disappointment over the incidents and reminded attendees that he had previously warned the newly elected council chairmen about the potential for violence.
“Those responsible for these attacks will be held accountable. This will not be ignored. We will work with security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators face justice,” Fubara stated firmly.
The governor praised his supporters for remaining calm during the confrontations and noted that the ongoing political crisis had overshadowed many achievements of his administration. To address this, Fubara announced plans to dedicate a day later this month to highlight the successes of his government.
Addressing the newly appointed commissioners, Fubara urged them to collaborate with his administration to tackle challenges facing the state, particularly in oil production and crude oil theft, which he identified as significant obstacles to economic growth.
He assured that the selection of the new commissioners was made with careful consideration to ensure loyalty, dedication, and political balance across different regions of the state, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in advancing the state’s progress.
The newly appointed commissioners include Otamiri John-Ngubo, the immediate past Caretaker Committee Chairman and APP Chairmanship candidate for Etche, who was unsuccessful in securing the seat; Evans Bipi, the former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ogu/Bolo and a notable figure in the 2013 brawl in the Rivers State House of Assembly; as well as former State Lawmaker Benibo Alabraba and Israel Lebura-Ngbuelu.
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