The Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Sir Chidi Lloyd, has announced an increase in the bounty placed on a wanted criminal gang leader, Reuben Chibuzor Nyenke, popularly known as Cairo, from ₦2 million to ₦5 million.
Sir Chidi Lloyd made the announcement during the inauguration of the newly constructed Joint Military Task Force (JTF) Base in Obelle community, saying the decision was part of his administration’s renewed offensive against crime and criminality in the area.
The council chairman said the establishment of the JTF Base became necessary due to rising cases of killings and criminal activities in Obelle and its environs. He accused some residents of providing food, information and other forms of support to criminal gangs hiding in the community.
Addressing residents in their local dialect, Sir Chidi Lloyd warned that anyone found aiding or abetting criminals would be treated as an accomplice and prosecuted accordingly.
He vowed that all those connected to the assassination of Chief Ferdinand Dabirison, who was killed in broad daylight while attending a meeting in Obelle, would face the full weight of the law.
He explained that the local government would pay ₦5 million to anyone who provides credible information leading to the arrest of the wanted gang leader and his associates.
The Emohua chairman also commended the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for supporting the actualisation of the JTF Base following its approval by the State Security Council. He appealed to the governor to further assist the council with patrol vehicles to enhance effective security operations.
Sir Chidi Lloyd called on residents of Obelle to cooperate with security agencies to restore peace, stressing that no meaningful development could thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity. He disclosed that the council was considering the renovation of Obelle Community School in the new year to address infrastructural decay and improve learning conditions.
