9JA NEWS: Rivers government will not tolerate attacks on other Nigerians in the state says governor wike

The governor also declared that Rivers State belongs to all those who live in it, saying that the state heartily welcomes any Nigerian who resides in the state and carries our his/her lawful businesses.

Governor Wike further condemned the deliberate sabotage of the state’s security architecture by the direct criminal activities of the Rivers State Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS).

In a state broadcast on the state security situation on Friday, Governor Wike said:
“The Rivers State Government is seriously concerned with the recent activities of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB),
particularly the attack on Nigerian citizens living in Rivers State.

“Rivers people fully subscribe to Nigeria’s corporate existence
and its indivisibility. As a people we shall continue to support the
unity and peaceful co-existence of all ethnic nationalities and work towards actualizing our collective aspirations for a just, inclusive and progressive nation.

“Rivers State belongs to all those who live in it. We heartily welcome any Nigerian who wishes to reside here and go about
with his or her lawful businesses. Therefore, we shall not tolerate any attack by any group on other Nigerians living in Oyigbo or any
other part of the State. We warn troublemakers those who are bent on causing violence on others to steer clear of Rivers territory.
Nobody should take our hospitality and peaceful disposition for weakness, as we are capable of dealing decisively with anysituation threatens peace and serenity in the State.”

The governor added: “We call on Rivers people to be vigilant and not to allow themselves to be used by anybody to foment trouble in our State.
Do not hesitate to report any suspicious character or movements
around your vicinity to the law enforcement agencies for immediate action.

“In as much as we may share common concerns about thestructural problems of the country, we believe that dialogue, not
violence, remains the best way to resolve contending political issues. We therefore pray the Federal Government to initiate
meaningful national dialogue to peacefully resolve the structural challenges that are threatening Nigeria’s stability and progress.

“In the same vein, we urge the security agencies to exercise maximum restraint and conform to international rules of
engagement and best practice while responding to provocative acts from ill-advised groups”.

On the criminal activities of Rivers SARS, Governor Wike said for several months the state government has been receiving reports from traumatised victims who had been robbed of their valuables by SARS Operatives under the guise of conducting searches.

According to Governor Wike: “They employ several malevolent methods, including planting illicit drugs on their unsuspecting victims as bargaining chip or forcefully taking them to ATM boots to collect specified amount of money as ransom for their freedom.

“Furthermore, while the noticeable increase of kidnapping incidents along the East – West road and the Owerre – Port Harcourt road are worrisome, some of the rescued victims have
reportedly pointed SARS operatives as the ones that are responsible for most of kidnappings along those roads.

“Although the veracity of these allegations can only be fully established through an independent probe, the recent killing of a
SARS operative while carrying out a kidnap operation by the Inspector General of Police’s Special Squad clearly lends credence
to SARS direct involvement in criminal activities across the State.”

The governor reassured Rivers people of the commitment of his administration to work together with the security agencies and the police to guarantee the safety and security of lives and property across the state, despite the deliberate obstacles from SARs.

He called on members of the General Public to be vigilant and always be ready to protect themselves from the criminal machinations of SARS Rivers State.