My dear people of Rivers State.
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.
2. 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.
3. 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 trouble makers and 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 any situation that threatens the peace and serenity in the State.
4. We call on Rivers people to be vigilant and not 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.
5. In as much as we may share common concerns about the structural 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.
6. 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.
7. This brings me to the subversive activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Rivers State and its involvement in sabotaging the State’s security architecture.
8. Since assumption of office a little over two years ago, we have done as much as we can within the limits of available resources to ensure that our dear State is secure, safe and peaceful for residents and visitors alike.
9. This we have done by providing tremendous moral, material and financial support, including patrol vans, gun boats and armoured personnel carriers to the security agencies to fight crime and maintain peace in the State. Indeed, no other State Government has provided as much logistical support to the security agencies as the Rivers State Government.
10. While we commend the security agencies, especially the Nigerian Police, for their commitment to the security of lives, property and investments in the State, we are constrained once again, to condemn in clear terms the deliberately sabotage of the State’s security architecture by the direct criminal activities of the Rivers State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
11. For months on end, we have been receiving reports from traumatized victims who had been robbed of theirs valuables by SARS operatives under the guise of conducting searches on the victims. 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.
12. Furthermore, while the noticeable increase of kidnapping incidents along the East – West road and the Owerri – Port Harcourt road are worrisome, some of the rescued victims have reportedly pointed SARS operatives as the ones that are responsible for most of the kidnappings along those roads.
13. 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.
14. We therefore call on members of the general public to be vigilant and always be ready to protect yourselves from the criminal machinations of SARS Rivers State, lest you become an unfortunate victim.
15. Finally, we wish to reassure Rivers people of our commitment to work together with the security agencies and the police in particular to guarantee the safety and security of lives and property across the State in spite of the deliberate obstacles from SARS.
16. Thank you, and may God continue to bless Rivers State.
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