•Rivers State Police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko
The Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, Chima Njoku, has declared a bounty of N1.5 million on an alleged land grabber accused of causing the bloody clash that claimed some persons at Umuakonu community in Igbo-Etche.
The chairman announced the bounty when he visited the community yesterday according to a statement by his Assistant Press Secretary, Anyanwu ThankGod.
The council boss said anybody with useful tips on the whereabouts of the alleged land grabber popularly called Dede would be given N500,000 while any security agency that would capture him would receive N1milion, reports The Nation.
Njoku was received by a large crowd of concerned residents and community leaders during the visit aimed at restoring peace and reaffirming government’s commitment to justice.
Njoku condemned in strong terms the incessant cases of land disputes and criminal encroachments that had caused tension and bloodshed across Etche.
He urged all residents to remain calm and law-abiding and to allow security agencies carry out a full investigation.
He warned that the local government under his leadership would not tolerate acts capable of destabilising the peace of Etche communities.
He said: “We must all maintain peace. No one has the right to take another person’s life because of land. Those who died are our own Etche sons, not strangers, and we must protect their memory by ensuring justice is served”.
Njoku said his administration would continue to support security agencies in their efforts to curb land grabbing and other criminal activities in Etche, noting that no individual, no matter how influential, would be above the law.
He also appealed to traditional rulers, youth leaders, and community elders to work closely with government and security operatives to maintain lasting peace and order in Igbo-Etche.
“Land belongs to the living, not to the dead. We cannot continue to lose our brothers over greed and selfish interests. This administration will fight land grabbers to a standstill,” he said.
