Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has declared that the amnesty granted by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State to cultists who killed 23 persons in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state, has no impact in Rivers State.
Governor Wike spoke, on Tuesday, during the signing of a bill at the Government House, Port Harcourt, saying that the wanted cultists, said to be kingpins of the Don Waney’s gang, would be brought to justice.
He declared that the N20 million placed on their heads still stands, adding that security agencies would be empowered to bring the criminals to account for their crimes.
He said that the action of Governor Okorocha was a proof of the intelligence available to Rivers Government that the All Progressives Congress (APC) planned to grant amnesty to wanted cultists for political reasons.
The governor berated the APC and its officials for politicising security to the disadvantage of the rest of the country.
In the words of Governor Wike, “Just yesterday (Monday), the Governor of Imo State granted amnesty to the cultists we declared wanted. These are cultists of the Don Waney gang, who killed 23 persons on New Year day.
“These are cultists, who have been killing security agents. That amnesty offered by Governor Okorocha cannot cover Rivers State. These criminal cultists are still wanted for their crimes against Rivers State and her people”.
The Rivers State governor stated that it was wrong to introduce politics into security affairs because nobody knows what the outcome would be in future.
“There is no need playing politics with the security of lives and property. Before Governor Rochas Okorocha granted amnesty to those who killed our people, he did not deem it fit to call me.
“They should always weigh the implications of these actions to the security of the region. Whether you are in PDP or APC, there is no need to politicise security”, Governor Wike said.
Governor Wike also said despite the obvious political sabotage against the security infrastructure of the State, the Rivers State Government would continue to work towards improved security in the state.
