Worried about the spate of kidnappings and criminal activities around Ogurama Community, chairman of Degema Local Government Area in Rivers State, Michael John Williams, Thursday, issued a stern warning to perpetrators to desist from the act or face the full weight of the law.
He urged indigenes and residents of Ogurama to be vigilant, monitor and report suspicious movements of strange faces in the area, in order to rid the community of criminal elements.
Speaking during a One-Day ‘Peace & Security Summit,’ organized by the Council Administration to sensitize the people of against the menace, the DELGA council boss noted that though youths of the community may not be directly involved in the dastardly act, however, intelligence reports available to government revealed that the area was used as a hideout for kidnappers and cultists, who take advantage of the hospitality of the Ogurama people, as well as the vast forests, to ply their trade.
While assuring the continued support of his administration in providing adequate security to Degema people, he warned that government would deal decisively with anyone caught in the act, as well as their accomplices.
Similarly, chairman of Khana council, Dr.Thomas Bariere has said that his administration will fish out all criminal elements in the area as long as he remains the chairman.
He made the declaration when he honoured the invitation of leaders of Beeri community to witness the voluntary handover of arms to security operatives by some known cultist in the community.
The Khana council boss, expressed appreciation to the youths for accepting the call for them to lay down their arms and embrace peace, noting that peace is one of the tools that can foster economic development in the area.
He reiterated his commitment towards ensuring that the lives and properties of Khana people are protected at all cost.
“Let me sincerely appreciate you for coming out voluntarily to lay down your arms, the good thing today is that you will no longer take to your hills when you see security operatives, this decision will bring you peace of mind”.
“But we are aware that there are some of your friends who are not happy with the bold step you’ve taken today, some of them will turn to be your enemies, But let it be on record that because you have decided to take the bull by the horn and as long as you don’t go back to the life you’ve left behind today, government will protect you, the same way they protect all other innocent citizens”.
“What we expect of you, is to call the attention of government anytime you witness or have information about any acts that is capable of creating another round of crises in our communities”.
Thomas further stated the position of his administration to reward anyone who captures and handover any known cultist to security operatives with the sum of one million naira.
“For those persons who feel that cultism is the only thing they can practice and wouldn’t want to give peace a chance, our government is announcing a one million naira bounty on anyone you can capture and hand over to security agencies”
“As long as I remain the Executive Chairman of this Local Government Area, there will be no place for any criminal elements”. he declared.
