The Rivers State Government has called on the Inspector General of Police, Department of State Services and other security agencies to fish out the killers of Ahoada West Local Government Legislative Assembly, Hon Ekele Fyneface Cohen Chikobi, popularly called EFCC Chiko in the social media.
EFCC Chiko, a social media influencer, was killed, last Thursday, around Rumuji along East-West Road when unknown gunmen opened fire on the convoy of the PDP House of Assembly Candidate, Hon Wanaka Augustine Okpokiri, killing EFCC Chiko and abducting some others in their convoy as they were returning to Port Harcourt.
In the last two weeks, drivers of two popular motor companies were attacked at around the same spot by the same gunmen, who killed one while the other escaped with severe gunshot injuries, just as the hoodlums kidnapped some of their passengers.
It was learnt that these incidents were only a tip of the iceberg in the last one month, as several private and commercial motorists and travellers have faced traumatic experiences, with some killed, some kidnapped while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
The state government concern was contained in a statement issued by the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Barrister Emma Okah, in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
“Time has come for the Government and people of Rivers State to ask more questions as to the security of lives and property in our state and the role and effectiveness of security agencies”, Okah said, noting that the death of EFCC Chiko after a campaign rally in his LGA was unacceptable.
Despite threats of violence against PDP members and other innocent people in Rivers people, the state government has continued to find ways to end this quagmire by supporting security agencies but enemies of progress would not agree.
“Recall that the establishment of the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency was a direct response to these challenges but some prominent Rivers sons instigated the Nigeria Army to shut down the recruitment process for their selfish political ends”, Okah said, adding that violent crimes like the death of EFCC Chiko would have been averted if the agency had commenced operations.
“Rivers State Government considers this death and the others like it, a direct affront to the security agencies and Rivers people demand that they rise to the occasion if they want us to believe their strength and impartiality.
“On our part, we shall continue to do everything within our powers as government to get the perpetrators of this crime to book in no distant time”, the statement added.
“As a government, we call on the Inspector General of Police not to go the way of his predecessor who politicised Rivers State security and didn’t consider the lives and property of Rivers people a priority despite repeated demands. He must show his presence in the arena.
“Hon. Ekele Fyneface Cohen Chikobi (EFCC Chiko) must not die in vain,” Okah stressed.
However, the government commiserated with the wife and family of the deceased, and prayed God to comfort them at this time of anguish, assuring that the state will stand with them at this time.
Earlier, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike had stated that the state government would ensure that the killers of Ekele Fyneface Cohen Chikobi (EFCC) were brought to justice.
Speaking at a meeting with Community Development Committees in Port Harcourt, last Friday, Wike said the state government would ensure all those involved in the dastardly act are tracked down by security operatives.
Wike said he received news of the murder of EFCC, the legislative leader of Ahoada West Local Government Area, with shock, noting that he was unsettled by the sad news.
Meanwhile, D-Source Connect has condemned the murder of the founding member of the group.
“EFCC Chico as he is fondly called, until his sudden and untimely demise was a committed and founding member of D-Source Connect Group whose sense of humour and leadership style we cannot forget in such a hurry.
“We, as a group condemn the gruesome murder of our brother and friend, and call on the Federal Government, especially the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Abubakar Adamu and all the security chiefs to fish out everyone involved in this dastardly act that took the life of this young man at his prime, at a time his family, friends and Rivers people need him most.
“While we condole with the family of EFCC Chico and pray that God grants them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss, we pray that God almighty will grant him eternal rest”, the group added.