Khana Local Government Area (LGA) is the first to play host to the Judicial Panel Of Inquiry that was recently set up by the Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara GSSRS to investigate the level of destructions, lootings and killings that took place in some LGAs of the State on October 7, 2024.
Speaking during the visit today, October 22, 2024, the Chairman Khana LGA, Hon Martins Nwigbo stated that they haven’t been able to asscertained the level of destructions done, adding that recently as it rained, it was discovered that the entire roof to the Secretariat were leaking, all the Air conditioners, All the desktops at the Information Communications and Technology Centre, ceilings, the council save lockers, generator, among others were destroyed and some others looted away.
Nwigbo remarked that it takes only a caring leader as demonstrated by the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS to act swiftly by inaugurating the Judicial panel to investigate the arson, killings, and destruction of property at various local government council secretariats in the state.
Nwigbo frown at the level of lootings, destructions of property as well as the barbaric murder of an innocent man, the Deputy Chief Security Officer( CSO) in Ken Polytechnic, Mr Benson Ndika Ndoonee from Sogho Ward four in the LGA, who came to witness the Inauguration of his daughter, Legborsi Ndika, who was one of the councillors.
“In fact the level of destruction to me was unbelievable and the selfish aim was just to cause chaos, put fear into the hearts of people, so that noting will happen and nobody can arrest them, but the people said no that there should be peace to enable everyone move on.”
He appeal to the Judicial Panel of inquiry to still accept whatever new findongs that will be coming from Khana LGA, stressing that they be ready to accept new foundings as the staff and management of the council have not been able to discovered all the destructions and lootings that took place at the council, the lodge and the Information Communications and Technology Centre.
The LGA Boss thanked the Governor to have decided to take this action to find out the immediate and remote causes of this arson, adding that he had not rested since the murder of an Ogoni son that those responsible be fished out, but regretted that until now the police have not been able to come up with anyone.
On her part, the chairman of the Rivers State Judicial Panel of Inquiry, Justice Ibiwengi Minakiri Stated that the Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara GSSRS, has once again shown his concern for the people of the state by inaugurating as well dispatching such a high delegation of the Panel of Inquiry to assess the extent of damage done on the Local Government Area on October 7, 2024.
The chairman of the panel stated further that the assignment given to them is very important as such requires total commitment by all so it is done rightly, else it would give the enemies more opportunity to strive, which is why all hands must be on deck to end further destruction of public property in the LGAs and state at large.
Minakiri explained that they had come to see things themselves in order to give accurate reports on their findings on the level of destruction of valuable things that were already put in place by successive governments.
“The commission had been set up by the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS following the crisis that occurred October 7th, 2024, adding that the Judicial Panel have just one month to conclude its assignment and to send in reports of findings from the various LGAs in the State to the appropriate quarters.
“We are here to see things for ourselves as the saying goes seeing is believing”, the Chairman added.
After assessing the true extent of the damage done, the team leader expressed disappointment at the level of devastation inflicted on the council, the lodge and the ICT centre that houses over 800 laptops.
They assured that they would report back to the governor on the extent of destructions and await further directives on how to move forward in rebuilding.
She also commended the Chairman and his team for their peaceful dispositions since their resumption in office, October 6th, 2024.
It is worthy to note that other members of the Judicial Panel includes Mrs. Inyingi Brown, Secretary; Uzor Ikenga, counsel; Felicia Nwoke; Prof. Blessing Didia; Sir Samuel Egbe; and Venerable Alex Usifor.
