Abonnema killings : Wike sets up c’ttee to settle bereaved families

PORT HARCOURT: Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, has set up a committee to identify victims and find out families of those who lost their lives during the Presidential and National Assembly elections in Abonnema Town, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state.



Wike also said that the government will send a delegation to the Nigerian Army to sympathise with them on the death of their officers during the polls.

Wike spoke yesterday, at St Paul’s Nyemoni Lutheran Cathedral, Abonnema, Akuku-Toru LGA, during a Church service to seek God’s protection for the March 9,  polls and end of period of mourning for victims of the February 23, polls organised by traditional rulers and stakeholders in the council.

He noted that the families of the victims if identified would be settled by the state government, adding that property destroyed in the area would also be rebuilt.

Wike said: “Let me on behalf of the state government condole with the people of Abonnema over the death of our children and the Nigerian Army personnel.



“What I heard and saw on the television, I could not believe that such happened in a civilian environment. It shocked me that I will be alive and see my community being destroyed just because I am connected to the powers that be, which I could not use for development.

“The Rivers State Government has set up a committee to identify those who died during the incident.

“They will also find their families and the government will settle their families. For those who lost their property, the government will take care of the damaged property.”

Wike commended the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, Bob-Manuel, for the steps taken by the council of chiefs to ensure lasting peace in the area, pleading with youths of the area to shun provocation and maintain peace during the governorship elections.







Vanguard Nigeria