…..Vows To Expose Security Personnel Engaging in Bunkering
The Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the transfer of a divisional police officer (DPO) out of the state for allegedly operating illegal refinery in the state.
The governor had in a security meeting held on Friday at the Government House in Portharcout, the state capital which was attended by local government chairmen and heads of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Police, the Directorate of State Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the 23 local government chairmen to list out all illegal refineries and their operators within their jurisdiction.
Wike Challenged the local government bosses to prove innocence of the illegal business he said has constituted jeopardy to the nations economy and the well being of the people in the state.
The governor added that the government would never leave any stone unturned in the protection of people’s lives and properties and curtailing unlawful refinery operation in the state.
The governor had earlier, through his Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, said: “Now, every council chairman must go and identify where illegal refineries are taking place. If you identify one, you get N2m. So, go and identify as many as you can.
‘i will pay N2m for each one. And I am going to fight against this. Our people are dying and we owe our people the responsibility to protect them, to save them from death they never caused.”
“So, you must, and you’re given 48 hours to go and identify all illegal refineries sites, and those who are in charge of them,” Wike stated
Wike added he can never allow a police officer to own an illegal oil firm under his watch, said “any of the council chairmen who was afraid to join in the fight against the criminals operating the illegal refineries should be ready to resign”.
The governor alleged that some security Personnel are aiding and providing cover for the operators of the illegal refineries in the state.
He called on the State Police Commissioner, Eboka Friday, to” redeploy out of the state a particular DPO in Emohua Local Government Area operating an illegal refinery in the area”
He said: “It’s unfortunate for this country how security people will be involved in illegal bunkering. I can’t believe it. Mr. CP, I thank you for transferring the DPO to Rumuji, who owns a refinery. But the man must leave here, not transferred. He must leave this state.
“I can’t be governor here and security man owns an illegal refinery. No, it is not possible…the man has to go. Take him to wherever they allow bunkering,” Wike stated.
Governor Wike also implored the CP “to immediately arrest Chief W. J. Wocha, Fubara Ohaka, and chief Promise Ezekwe,”said to have been fingered for operating illegal refineries deep inside the forest of the Ibaa community in Emohua Local Government Area.
The governor further urged the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Rivers State command, to immediately transfer its personnel in charge of vandalization of pipelines in the State.
“Transfer the man, and tell him to leave. He is a complete saboteur. I mean, how can security men be the ones involved in this. What kind of country are we?”