Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike says his administration will replace all the properties allegedly destroyed by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) during the EbdSARS protest in parts of Rivers.
Governor Wike, who made this known in a statement by his media Aide, Mr. Kelvin Ebiri, expressed regrets that the damage done during the protest left a huge financial burden on the State.
speaking during a live television show in Port Harcourt , Wike said IPOB members killed six soldiers. four police men and destroyed all police station and court buildings there” , also restating that the State government will compensate each family of the killed security personnel with N20 million.
The governor also described the allegation that he ordered the Nigerian Army to kill Igbo’s in Oyibo Local Government Area of Rivers as politically motivated falsehood.
He said that the narrative that Igbo’s were being killed was intended to shift attention from the despicable activities of IPOB in Oyigbo, a boundary area adjoining Abia.
” I know that this is not the first time IOOB has used Oyigbo as launching ground. The security agencies are aware.but this time IPOB added a new dimension. I proscribed IPOB activities anywhere in the state, Don’t forget that the Federal Government had declared them a terrorist group.
” Is not entire Igbo’s that believe in IPOB activities.
So, is not true that I ordered the military to kill Igbo’s in Oyigbo.
” I will not fold my arms and watch criminals destroy my state; if those few criminals are igbostgen they should know that I will not allow them. I know who is doing all these, who has told them to arise, protest against Wike”, the governor said.
According to him even the South-East Governors have never supported IPOB and wondered how a governor from Niger Delta should tolerate the group.
He maintained that ” If IPOB is allowed to operate from Oyigbo,they will soon overrun the State.
Jane Maduadugwo PHC
