Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has announced N20 million compensation to each of the families of the soldiers and policemen allegedly killed by members of proscribed Indigenous Peoples Organization of Biafra (IPOB) in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.
According to reports, five soldiers and three policemen were killed on October 21, 2020, while the area command, Oyigbo and Afam police stations were burnt down when members of IPOB launched an attack in Oyigbo during the #EndSARS protest.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Kelvin Ebiri, on Wednesday, Governor Wike also promised to rebuild all burnt police stations and vowed to ensure that stunt the operations of IPOB in the state.
Governor Wike announced the donations during a condolence visit to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan, and families of the slain security operatives on Wednesday.
“Rivers State government has decided to pay N20 million compensation to the families of each of the soldiers and policemen killed by members of proscribed Indigenous Peoples Organisation of Biafra (IPOB) in Oyigbo last week.
“In addition, Rivers State government has promised to rebuild all burnt police stations in Oyigbo and vowed to ensure that the terrorist organisation no longer exists in Rivers State.
“The state government will support the police to make sure that all IPOB members who masterminded the killing of the policemen and soldiers, as well as the wanton destruction of police stations in Oyigbo are apprehended to face the full wrath of the law.
“IPOB masterminded the killing of our gallant officers of the Nigerian Police and Army. We want to state clearly that Rivers State government will support you to make sure that any of the perpetrators of this hideous crime does not go free.
“Enough is enough. You cannot continue to kill our policemen who have not done anything; who have not committed any crime,” the statement reads.
KanyiDaily recalled last week, Governor Wike reinforced the ban on all activities of the IPOB after accusing the group of causing havoc in the state and announced a N50m bounty for anybody with information leading to the arrest of it’s group leader, Stanley Mgbere.