Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers has made good his threat to banish the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Rivers State by signing an executive order that formally proscribes the group in the state.
His Media aide, Kelvin Ebiri confirmed this development in a statement.
He said while the government is not unmindful of the contributions of non-indigenes to the socio-economic and political development of the state over the years, the leadership of the state would not fold its arms and allow any individual or group to undermine the authority of the government, disturb the peace of the people and disrupt their economic lives.
It stated “the State government is opposed to the presence and activities of the legally-proscribed and anarchic IPOB and whatever it stands for in Rivers State.
“And so, let it be understood that we have nothing against all or any specific tribe and will continue to live in peace with people of all other tribal extractions residing or doing business in Rivers State.
“But we have everything against the presence and activities of the legally-proscribed IPOB and whatever that group stands for in Rivers State,” the governor warned.
“This is clearly a terrorist group which existence, creed, mission and activities are strongly denounced even by the Government and peoples of the South-Eastern States of the country.
“I have, therefore, signed the executive order to reinforce the total ban on IPOB and its activities in Rivers State or any part thereof and nothing will stop us from enforcing this ban in its entirety,’’ he said.
The statement said Wike also “directed security agencies and the Chairmen of Local Government Areas to fish out and resolutely deal with any member of IPOB found in any community following the executive order and other legal instruments’’.
