The lawmaker representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Dumnamene Robinson Dekor, has described the killing of two indigenes of Bua Yeghe Community in Gokana Local Government Area last Monday as ‘despicable and wicked’.
Dekor, who stated this when he paid a condolence visit to the paramount ruler of Bua Yeghe Community, Mene Barinaadaa Gbarane, at the Bua Yeghe Community Hall, Saturday, urged security agencies to do everything within their powers to hunt down the killers and bring them to justice.
The lawmaker, who was accompanied by top party and government officials, including the Khana Council Chairman, Dr Thomas Bariere, member representing Gokana Constituency at the State Assembly, Hon Dumle Maol, Special Adviser to the Governor on Projects Evaluation, Hon Austin Sor, and the Divisional Police Officers of Bori and Kpor Divisions respectively, decried the beheading of one of the victims, an act he described as barbaric and a sacrilege.
According to him, “We are here because we owe you the peace. We will get to the bottom of this, so let’s allow security agencies do their work. But be rest assured that the perpetrators will be brought to book”.
He also charged the leadership of the youths in the area to maintain peace, and avoid reprisal attacks, as security agencies are on top of the situation.
The lawmaker later visited the homes of the victims and commiserated with the wives and children of the victims.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of Khana Local Government Council, Dr Thomas Bariere, said the Council was deeply saddened by the killings and also vowed not to rest until the perpetrators were apprehended.
He said the Council would not be deterred by the act which he said was the handiwork of the enemies of the people, stressing that peace has come to stay in Khana LGA.
“Let me start by saying that I join voice with the Rt. Hon. Dum Dekor, people of Bua Yeghe Community, and entire Ogoni to condole with the family that just lost two very important personalities.
“The murder is needless, senseless, and we condemn it completely. As a government, we have been doing everything within our powers to ensure we bring peace.
“But as you can see, no matter how hard you try, there are just some persons that just would not give peace a chance.
“So, I stand here today, to assure the people of Bua Yeghe Community and the entire Ogoni that I will continue to work with my colleague, the Chairman of Gokana Local Government Area, to ensure that those responsible for this gruesome murder are brought to book.
“That is the only way we can give assurance to the people that we are concerned about their safety and security. And that’s what we shall continue to do”, he said.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the Paramount Ruler of Bua Yeghe Community, Mene Barinaadaa Gbarane pledged that his community would continue to maintain the peace despite provocation.
A visibly angry Gbarane also pointed accusing fingers at a neighboring Community for the killings, saying it is unfortunate that an Ogoni would behead a fellow Ogoni.
“They should stop provoking Yeghe by talking on the radio. If they are not responsible for the killings, why would they rush to the radio, making provocative statements?.
“We demand that the head of the killed graduate should be returned to us for proper burial. We are not going to bury his body without head”, he declared.

By: Ike Wigodo