• Gunmen kidnap commissioner’s mother

FOLLOWING the gruesome killing of about 15 persons in Omoku and other communities, the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has banned the operation of commercial motorcyclists in four local councils of the state.

Similarly, the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has condemned the killing of six persons following renewed hostilities between Nwebiara and Barako communities in Gokana Local Council government of the state.

The government’ s ban took effect yesterday in four local councils: Abua/Odual, Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni (ONELGA) where about 15 persons were killed Friday night. .

The four councils have witnessed series of gang war related killings in recent times, the worst affected being ONELGA where over three communities were invaded at the weekend and at least 15 people were killed.

The ban which commences 5pm and ends by 8am daily is indefinite and security agencies have been directed to strictly enforce it.
The governor while regretting any inconveniences the ban will cause residents, businesses and commercial motorcyclists in those areas, called on all stakeholders to cooperate with the state government and security agencies to improve the security situation in their communities.

MOSOP president, Legborsi Saro Pyagbara, urged the warring Nwebiara and Barako communities to sheathe their swords and give peace a chance while efforts are being made to find enduring answers to their inter-communal conflict.

Meanwhile, unidentified gunmen have kidnapped mother of the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr. Austin Tam-George.

The victim, Mrs. Patience Tam-George, 85 years old, was kidnapped at about 8.55pm on Saturday, immediately she returned from church, at her family house in Giogioma, Okrika, in Okrika Local Council.

The Guardian gathered that her three masked abductors stormed the residence, went straight to her sitting room where she was seated and whisked her away to a waiting boat and immediately sped off to an unknown destination.

The Commissioner while confirming the incident to The Guardian, appealed to her captors to release her unconditionally.

George said: “Yes it is true, my mother was kidnapped on her return from church, at about 8.55pm, on Saturday. She is 85 years old and her name his Patience”.

“I am appealing to her abductors to release my mother unhurt to the family. My mother is innocent and harmless and she is sick. My mother cannot hurt anyone. She had gone to church as she has done for years to pray and worship God.”