The Chairman, Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro Felix Obuah, has expressed concern over the military intervention at Yeghe community in Gokana council area of Ogoni, stressing that the state government is not unaware of the antics of the opposition led by desperate political office-seekers – Senator Magnus Abe, Barry Mpigi and other leading members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the area – who it believed incited the crisis in order to create room for a declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State.

Worried that what ought to be civil, unfortunately turned bloody, resulting in avoidable loss of lives of innocent people, he called for investigation, arrest and prosecution of those behind the Ogoni carnage. Pleading with Ogoni people not lose faith as the government is aware of the antics of the opposition in the area, Obuah re-emphasised that the party is ever-ready and willing to provide the government with all necessary information and support in fishing out and prosecuting those responsible for the misery and sorry situation in the erstwhile peaceful Ogoni communities, wondering why the military promptly swung into action without recourse to the Chief Security Officer of the State, Governor Nyesom Wike.

In the statement signed by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam, the PDP chairman described as “proper and timely,” the recent and current visits to Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas, and Bori, the traditional headquarters of Ogoni, over the security situation in the areas, adding that the governor’s visits will not only help douse tension in the areas but also reassure the people of government’s good intentions and concern for the protection of lives and property.

While acknowledging the role of the military in peace-keeping and sustenance of security in and outside Nigerian territories, the party called on men and officers of the military to strive to conduct their operations professionally, according to the rules of engagement, especially when confronting civilian publics.

Obuah also condemned the massive killing of Ogoni natives and other Nigerian residents whose lives were cut short by bullets of men of the Nigerian Army in Bori and other Ogoni communities on Monday February 22 and Tuesday February 23, 2016, respectively.

He opined: “For us, this sad development was avoidable and should not be allowed to go on, especially in a democratic setting. We reiterate that human life is sacred and should not be wasted on anybody’s ambition, whether political or otherwise. We call on the military authorities and the government at the centre to demonstrably discourage actions as those conducted in Bori and Omoku recently, by condemning them and dissociating itself from them. We have continued to warn and have not failed to alert the public and all security agencies of the plots by the APC leaders to use some security outfits, especially the military, to ensure they win the forthcoming re-run elections, and to cause unrest in the state.”

Obuah said the PDP feels the pains of Ogoni people, assuring them that those who masterminded such killer-operations will be brought to justice. He urged the people to remain observant and peaceful, as they have always been, adding that the party will not let them down in this trying moment.

The PDP chairman also commiserated with highly respected leaders, men and women of Ogoni, particularly those who lost their loved ones in the “unwarranted and condemnable devilish attack.” He promised that government will promptly look into the matter passionately, and prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of departed ones

•Photo shows Bro. Obuah.

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