Port Harcourt – Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, says the campaign against illegal crude oil refineries in the state is a war and that operators of the refineries would be arrested and made to face the full force of the law.
Governor Wike also said his administration will not succumb to any form of blackmail or sentiment that will be stirred by those behind the refineries in an attempt to frustrate efforts at curbing the hazardous business that is causing the carcinogenic soot in the state.
The governor made the vow when he stormed forests in Ogbodo community in Ikwerre Local Government Area and Ibaa community in Emohua Local Government Area, with the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Eboka Friday, and other security chiefs, to uncover some illegal refining sites.
The governor maintained that no matter how highly placed the perpetrators may be, they will not be spared, but confronted, apprehended and be made to face the full force of the law.
He, therefore, directed the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Zacchaeus Adangor, to take over the case files of illegal crude oil refinery operators arrested by the police.
Wike directed the Commissioner of Police to immediately arrest Chief W. J. Wocha, Fubara Ohaka, and Chief Promise Ezekwe, who have been fingered for operating illegal refineries in the forest of Ibaa community in Emohua Local Government Area.
“It is a serious matter. And I’m going to take it head on. In fact, it is a war. It is not poor people doing this, they’re a cartel. You must go and arrest these people: Chief W. J. Wocha, you must arrest Fubara Ohaka, and Chief Promise Ezekwe. You must arrest them.
“It doesn’t matter how highly placed you are. If you like be the paramount ruler. In fact, any traditional ruler that is involved, pick him for me. Let him understand that the law does not respect anybody,” he said.
He said the purpose of confronting the menace was to ensure that the health of Rivers people is not further hampered by those illegal refining activities.
Follow us on twitter
