Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara on Tuesday inaugurated Judicial Commission of Inquiry to probe into the arson, killings and destruction of property that occurred on Monday at some local government secretariats.
The Governor charged the Commission to, as part of its terms of reference, look at the remote and immediate causes of the sad incidents, identify and bring the culprits to book, as well as make recommendations on long-term strategies to prevent similar incidents in future.
The Ikwerre, Emohua, Obia-Akpor and Eleme local government secretariats were set ablaze on Monday morning, the day the newly elected local government chairmen and councillors were supposed to assume office.
The attacks occurred shortly after the police had re-opened all the 23 local government council secretariats in the state months after they were sealed following the crisis that erupted after the expiration of the tenure of the immediate past chairmen who were bent on staying beyond their tenure.
Some persons were said to have been killed, while several others sustained various degrees of injuries, with properties destroyed.
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This is however not the first time violence of this nature has occurred in Rivers State. A similar incident occurred in 2014.
To ensure that justice is done, Governor Fubara inaugurated a judicial commission with nine terms of reference including to advise on adequate compensation and support for victims and their families, as well as measures to prevent future occurrences.
The Justice I.R. Minakiri-chaired Judicial Commission of Inquiry has one month to complete its assignment.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
