The Amayanabo of Kalabari, Rivers State, Prof. T. J. T. Princewill, and the Buguma Council of Chiefs have condemned the sudden appearance of an illegal checkpoint in Buguma, saying that it is uncalled for.

The Kalabari monarchs also raised objections to the provision of living quarters at the Isokariari sandfill area, using former NRC building for a team of mobile policemen.

The chiefs accused the former chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Hon Ojukaye Flag Amachree, of being responsible for the illegal structures and actions which are capable of turning the area into deep crisis.

The chiefs at a press briefing Monday, January 25, 2016, at Buguma headquarters of Asalga, expressed fear that such development would lead to chaos during the expected INEC re-run elections in the area, calling on all politicians to imbibe peace during the re-run elections.

According to them, the actions by the former chairman, Hon Amachree, in siting illegal military checkpoint and residential quarters in the city gravely undermine the presence of a legitimate caretaker committee chairman, Hon Sobomabo Jackrich. This action has adverse implication, with caustic consequences and an invitation to anarchy in the LGA.

According to Chief Mangibo Amachree, the chiefs are afraid of crisis springing up if these illegal checkpoints are not removed, because in a normal government setting, Hon. Ojukaye would have informed the Council Chairman, whether they are of the same party or not, before doing anything. “This now shows that a parallel government is springing up,” he said.

The Kalabari chiefs therefore called on the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to call Hon. Ojukaye Amachree to order, and to withdraw the mobile policemen, adding that where Ojukaye mounted the illegal checkpoints are community lands of which King Prof. T.J.T Princewill and Council of Chiefs were not informed.

He further said if the government wants to setup a police station or checkpoints for them, and require land for the project, the king and the council of chiefs ought to be informed. We are in doubt that the mission is not properly channel, it is illegal, they said.

He went further to say that if it is necessary for them to apply for mobile police unit in the area, it is the King and his Council of Chiefs that will apply and not Ojukaye.

According to him, it was the same Ojukaye that kept the people of Buguma in darkness by removing and sold the two 2,000 KVA and one 1,000 KVA generators, and now that light and peace has finally returned to the area because of his selfish interest, he has installed at an illegal checkpoint by making the LGA ungovernable for the present chairman.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the LGA, Hon Sobomabo Jackrich, is yet to make any public statement on the recent development in the area.

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