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Wike Raises Alarm On Frame-Up Plot …Insists IG Plans To Eliminate Him …As RSG Donates Gunboats To Navy
Rivers State Governor,Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has raised a fresh alarm over plot by the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to frame him up by planting incriminating materials in his Abuja residence
He told newsmen over the weekend, during a media chat in Government House Port Harcourt that the plot is being hatched such that the police plans to surreptitiously obtain a search warrant to raid his private house by Tuesday (tomorrow).
Further declaring that the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has concluded plans to plant guns and other incriminating items at his Asokoro Extension Residence in Abuja.
He said: “All attempt is being made so that they will go and plant either AK47 or one million dollars in the governor’s house. They can even plant costly wrist watches as a propaganda tool”.
According to the governor, the Police will be in court to get a search warrant on Tuesday. He said information available to him indicated that but for the May Day Public Holiday, the Police would have obtained the search warrant on Monday.
”I said I have to let Nigerians know that this is not the way to go about in democracy. Rather, this is an attempt to truncate democracy. That someone differs on issues does not mean you have to go after the person’s life”.
Chief Wike said this is the latest in the series of planned propaganda by the police to sow devilish information against him.
“Nigerians should be aware that should they raid my house in Abuja and claim they found anything, it is incorrect. I have not been going to Abuja, but I will be in Abuja to wait for them to see how they plan to plant guns in my house”, Governor Wike said.
While maintaining his position that the Inspector-General of Police is after his life, Chief Wike stated that this recent plot is aimed at silencing him because the Rivers State Government claimed the Ikoyi Billions, which were reportedly left there by the former Rivers State Governor.
He decried the pattern that has been adopted in the nation’s democracy, saying that it will negatively affect the growth of democracy.
“Our democracy cannot survive if we continue with this line of action. If the Inspector-General of Police wants to play partisan politics, let him remove his uniform and join us in the arena. He should not continue to wear uniform and do the bidding of politicians like a stooge”, he said.
While reiterating an earlier statement that the Inspector General of Police wants to eliminate him, he said, ”I want to reiterate that, the Inspector-General of Police is after my life”.
Meanwhile,the Nigerian Navy has confirmed receipts of eight assault gunboats from Rivers State Government that it says will boost its fight against oil theft and sea robbery which has become commonplace in the Niger Delta.
At the inauguration of the gunboats in Port Harcourt, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok Ete-Ibas said the eight gunboats would complement another batch of 12 gunboats delivered earlier by the Rivers State Government, all geared at securing the state maritime environment.
Governor Wike has even promised to donate 13 more boats, bringing the government’s contribution to 33.
Vice Adm. Ibok Ete-Ibas said the gunboats would boost Navy’s patrol capabilities and speed up response of troops to reported crime scenes and thereby discourage criminality on the waterways.
“The Navy appreciates the expectation attendant to delivery of these gunboats and we assure that the Navy will be prompt in committing the assets to operation.
“The gunboats would be deployed to impose order and security along the waterways in Rivers state with focus to boost economic activities.
“This deployment would facilitate free passage for the people to conduct their legitimate businesses without hindrance by criminal elements.
“To this end, the gunboats have beefed up the Nigerian Navy boat fleet to over 100 assorted boats which have enhanced the security of the waterways and the coastal communities,” he said.
Ibas commended Governor Wike for his support to the Navy and promised that the boats would be used for their set objectives.
Wike said that his administration was committed to securing lives and property in the state.
He pointed out that his government’s partnership with the Navy and other security agencies had yielded positive result as crime had reduced in the state.
“However, these gunboats are for security of lives and property of Rivers state alone as it should not be taken to neighbouring states on any account.
“Any state government that wants to secure her waterways should purchase its own gunboats because securing lives and property of Rivers people is paramount to the state government,” he said.
Wike said the state government would further acquire 13 special boats that would be distributed to the Nigerian Navy, Army and the Police.
Our correspondent reports that the gunboats were fitted with 200 horse power engine; 12.7mm machine guns, automatic grenade launchers and communication gadgets.