In line with the proscription of the Indigenous People Of Biafra, IPOB, by the court and federal government, the Rivers State government has reinforced the ban on the outlawed organisation from operating in the state.
The decision follows the recent orgy of violence and destruction unleashed by IPOB in Oyigbo Local Government Area and some parts of Port Harcourt city local government.
The action resulted in the loss of several lives including soldiers and policemen and the destruction of public and private properties.
Despite its ban and classification as a terrorist organisation, IPOB has continued to operate in parts of the country including Rivers State.
Since its proscription, the group has carried out intermittent processions and unleashed violence and destruction of property at will.
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All pleas, advise and warnings from the Rivers State government to the group to discontinue its activities have fallen on deaf ears.
Addressing the people in a statewide broadcast on Friday night, Governor Nyesom Wike says intelligence and surveillance show that the IPOB has continued to expand its membership drive in the state.
He says his administration has finally come to the conclusion that the activities of the banned IPOB are not just dangerous to lives and property, but also constitute a threat to the existential interest and aspiration of rivers state and its people.
Governor Wike also announced a bounty for the arrest of an IPOB member behind the violence in Eleme local government area.
And while sympathising with all those who have lost loved ones or suffered damages to their properties, Governor Wike says his administration will do everything within its powers to give all the victims justice.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
