Rivers Now A Killing Field, Peterside Laments

Dakuku-Peterside-All-Progressives-Congress

The All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Rivers State during the 2015 elections, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has described the state as a killing field, following the murders in some parts of the state recently.

Peterside, in a statement yesterday, specifically condemned the murder of Ofinijite Amachree, an APC stalwart in Buguma, Asari-Toru Local Government Area.

Amachree was beaten and then burnt alive in Buguma on Monday while five were clubbed to death between Saturday and Sunday.

The murder of Amachree took place barely 48 hours after the Ward 4 chairman of APC in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, Franklin Obi, was beheaded at his home by masked gunmen at 9 pm. His wife and 18-year-old son, Bestman, were also killed.

The APC governorship candidate lamented the execution, describing it as frightening and unprecedented.

According to him, the pathetic security situation in the state is unfortunately an affront on the Federal Government’s power to protect life and property within its territory.

Peterside, who spoke in Port Harcourt said the state urgently needs help.

“The security situation in our state is distressing and we cannot continue to live under such a desperate situation. I am again drawing attention to daily killings in Rivers State.

“Last Friday, Mr. Franklin, APC Ward 4 chairman in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government was killed and beheaded in Omoku. His wife and son were also killed. Franklin, who recently moderated APC ward meeting in the council, hails from the same ward as the state chairman of the PDP, Felix Obuah.

“Four APC persons were killed in Obibi, Etche council in the last 48 hours. Gabriel Cookey was clubbed to death in Opobo, Opobo/Nkoro councils.

“Only yesterday morning, in Buguma, Ofinjite Amachree, an APC member was set ablaze by alleged thugs of PDP.

“In fact, in the last two weeks, over 30 APC members have been killed in different parts of the state. We are tired of this bloodbath; this is why we are calling on the Federal Government to come to our aid.

“As citizens of the state, we know that this heart-rending situation is a fallout of loss of moral right by the Nyesom Wike-led government to fight criminality having allegedly benefited from their activities. But this killing must stop and the time is now.

“Unfortunately, members of PDP are allegedly heeding the call by Wike to burn alive members of the opposition and other electoral personnel, who stand in their way to victory in the rerun elections”.