Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has charged security agencies in the state to smoke out the killers of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in-charge of Ahaoda Police Division in Ahoada-East local government area of the state, late Bako Angbashim.
He specifically tasked the security agencies to get the prime suspect, Gift Okpara Okpolowu, at all cost as a clear statement that the state is not a safe haven for criminals.
Fubara, who spoke yesterday shortly after an emergency security councilmeeting at Government House, Port Harcourt, described the incident as unfortunate and barbaric.
The emergency security council meeting was attended by heads of all relevant security agencies in the state.
The governor sympathized with the Nigerian Police and the family of the slain senior officer, and vowed to make Rivers State unsafe for criminal activities.
He expressed confidence in the security agencies to apprehend the culprits, pointing out that a bounty has been placed on them.
Fubara said: “It is really unfortunate that in our state where we are doing everything to reduce crime rate, a group of miscreants portray the state as being unsafe, we honestly feel very sad over this incident. As a government, we will not rest until whoever is responsible for this act is brought to book.
“We have gone further to show our commitment in this issue by placing a bounty on the criminals and also suspended the traditional ruler of that locality. We will do everything on our part to ensure we get to the end of this matter; we must get him at all cost.
“Rivers state has never and will not be a home of criminality. I believe that the caliber of men that are heading the security unit of the state will do everything within their powers to settle these matters.”