Late Chikobi Ekele.
RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT
PRESS STATEMENT
FISH OUT WHO KILLED CHIKO – RSG TELLS IGP, SECURITY AGENCIES
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 LG Legislative Assembly Hon Ekele Fyneface Chikobi Cohen popularly called EFCC Chiko in the social media.
EFCC Chiko, a social media influencer, was killed yesterday around Rumuji along East West Road when unknown gun men 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 heading to Port Harcourt. Similar fate befell the driver of a popular motor company heading to Benin a few days ago around the same area.
This call was made today in Port Harcourt in a statement issued by the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications Barr Emma Okah.
“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 is 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 eatablishment 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 pepetrators 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 Chikobi Cohen (EFCC Chiko) must not die in vain.
Meanwhile, the Government commiserate with the wife and family of the deceased and pray God to comfort them at this time of anguish, assu6ting that the State will stand with them at this time.
Emma Okah
Commissioner for Information and Communications
01/02/2019