Wike Bans IPOB, Places Bounty On Leader

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has banned the activities of the Independent People of Biafra IPOB in the State, placing a bounty of N50m on its wanted leader, Stanley Mgbere.
In a state wide broadcast reinforcing the proscription of IPOB in the State on Friday, Wike said no form of procession or agitation by the group or any of its affiliates is allowed to take place in the State hence forth.
He explained that State government reached this firm conclusion having observed that the activities of the banned IPOB are not just dangerous to lives and property, but also constitute clear and present threat to the existential interest and aspirations of Rivers State and all her people.
“Security agencies are hereby directed to stop any form of procession or agitation by IPOB in Rivers State or any part thereof and arrest and prosecute any person or group that identifies with the membership or activities of IPOB in the State; Government will issue an executive order to strengthen and ensure the effective enforcement of these measures” he said.
He disclosed that he will be meeting with all leaders of youth groups and community development committees in the State on Monday 26th October 2020 to take holistic measures to counter and stop all IPOB activities in Rivers State; The governor stated one Mr. Stanley Mgbere is hereby declared wanted for leading members of the banned IPOB to cause the recent violence and destruction of lives and property in Oyigbo Local Government Area; and a ransom of N50,000,000.00 will be given to any person with useful information that would lead to his arrest and prosecution.
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He recall that since IPOB was classified as a terrorist organisation by the Federal High Court and subsequently proscribed in September 2017 by the Federal Government, the group has carried out intermittent processions in parts of Rivers State. especially in Oyigbo and some notorious suburbs in Port Harcourt Local Government Areas. According to him, IPOB aim had been to disturb the peace of the State by unleashing violence and destruction on lives and property at will. The Rivers State Government, according to the governor. had severally pleaded. warned and even advised IPOB and its members to discontinue its insurrectional actions in Rivers State to no avail. Instead, IPOB unleashed another orgy of violence and destruction inflicted at Oyigbo Local Government Area and some parts of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area on Tuesday 21st October 2020. Photos Credit: Getty