Omoku killing: Wike pledges N200million bounty on perpetrators

*As Police, family, others react to massacre

The Rivers State Governor, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has placed a N200million bounty for information that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the Omoku massacre in the early hours of Monday morning, New Year’s Day, in which 17 people were reportedly killed and many more seriously injured by unknown gunmen.

Unknown gunmen had on Monday morning killed more than 17 persons, mostly innocent women and children who were on their way back from New Year cross over church service at a time one thought killings in the area has been put to rest.

Governor Wike spoke on Tuesday after he led the Rivers State Security Council on a fact finding/sympathy visit to the families of the deceased. He also visited those injured during the attack.

The governor also visited the sites of the crime where he received briefing from the Nigerian Police Area Commander, Mr Mike Nwafor and the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA) Local Government Council Caretaker Chairman, Mr Olisa Osi.

He said: “We have placed a N200million bounty for relevant information that will lead to the arrest of all those involved in this unfortunate act of violence. Anybody who is connected to this crime in any way will have his/her houses forfeited to the Government. This place has been peaceful before this unfortunate mayhem.

“We will not allow another case of this violence. We have mobilised the security agencies to take the battle to the perpetrators,” the governor said.

Governor Wike said all those linked to the Omoku violence would face the full weight of the law.

“You cannot shed innocent blood and go free. We are working with all the security agencies to do everything possible to arrest the perpetrators. They must pay for this,” he said.

The governor commiserated with the families of the deceased, saying that the State Government would support them in burying their loved ones. He added that the state government would also settle the medical bills of those receiving treatment at different hospitals.

He said: “I am pained by this unfortunate mayhem . Enough is enough. ”

The governor and the service commanders also visited the residence of wanted cultist, Don Waney where the Rivers State Governor commended security agencies for working hard to improve the security of the state.

Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Mr Osi Olisa informed the governor that 17 persons lost their lives as a result of the attack.

In an interview, Prophetess Comfort Ordu who lost her husband and three of her children, said they were dragged out of their home and killed by the perpetrators.

Some of those murdered in cold blood include: Favour Odili, Saviour Amirinze, Augustine Ordu, Precious Ordu, Wisdom Ordu, Jennifer Ohia and Innocent Ohia. Others are: Reuben Idogu, Baby Idogu, Ngozi Ogbuanukwu, Oyi Ogadinma, Nwagaego Ogadinma and Uche Onige.

Governor Wike was accompanied to Omoku by the Brigade Commander of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General A.A Bande, the Commander of Joint Task Force, Colonel M.N Madi, Rivers State Deputy Police Commissioner, Ahmed Magaji and Rivers State Director of the Department of State Services, Mr Tosin Ajayi.

The senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, has condemned the massacre of several persons in the early hours of the New Year in Omoku, Headquarters of Ogba-Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Abe, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt and signed by his spokesperson, Mr. Parry Saroh Benson, also condoled with the families of the victims, the Orashi region and the entire people of Rivers State.

He expressed worry over the resurfacing of violent crime in the area and called on the Rivers State Government to assist security agencies with the needed tools to tackle security challenges that has bedeviled it.

The Senator said, “The killings in Omoku is an indication that all is not well with the security network of the State. The state government should assist security agencies with the needed tools to tackle these rising state of insecurity.

“The incident is condemnable and should be condemned by every right thinking Rivers man and woman. Rivers communities should not be allowed to become haven for blood thirsty hoodlums,” he said.

He further stated that “Rivers State Government must drastically re-engineer the security architecture and funding to fight crime and stop this endless waste of human lives.”

Abe, who is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on FERMA, called on the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to join forces and ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous crime are brought to book.

He continued: “This incident is one too many, and we must come together to change the narrative and create an atmosphere of peace in our State, where progress and prosperity can be archived.”

The police in Rivers state said it has not established any clear motive for the killing of the people in Omoku. The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, said investigation is still ongoing into the matter. He said that the police would soon come out with the details of the killing.

“Some persons are feared dead in the shooting but we cannot confirm the number now. Investigation is ongoing to unravel the motive and the perpetrators. For now the number of casualties cannot be ascertained . However we are still investigating. We have so many angles to the incident but our investigation would show what really happened.

“They say they are unknown gunmen. They may be cult members but investigation will reveal better what really happened.”

Meanwhile the paramount ruler of the community of Egi land, Eze Amaziri, where the crime was committed, Eze Amaziri, said one of his sons was among those killed. Eze Amaziri said that his son was returning from the church on the Eve of New Year, when the gunmen opened fire, killing him and his friends. The paramount ruler denied that his son was a member of any secret cult group.