The Chairman of the Governing Board of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and Ogoni Trust Fund, Hon. Emmanuel Deeyah, has condemned the recent wave of killings in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, urging security agencies to ensure that those responsible are apprehended and prosecuted.

Deeyah made the call during a condolence visit to the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Dr. Thomas Bariere, at the council secretariat in Bori, following the killing of a former Chief Security Officer of the council, Mr. Letam Kiine, and other reported attacks in the area.

Kiine was reportedly shot dead by unidentified gunmen along the road leading to Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic.

Addressing the council chairman, councillors and staff, Deeyah described the killing as unfortunate and expressed confidence in Bariere’s ability to restore lasting peace in the area.

He commended the council chairman for his efforts in improving security since assuming office, recalling that some communities, including Gwara, were previously difficult to access because of insecurity.

According to him, those sponsoring criminal activities in Khana should be made to face the full weight of the law.

“All these things are distractions. Whoever is causing insecurity in the local government is wasting his or her time. We will support you. Put your feet down and don’t be scared of anybody. We will surely chase those causing insecurity out. Day and night do not live together,” Deeyah said.

He stressed that peace in Bori, the traditional headquarters of Ogoni, is critical to the stability of the entire Ogoni ethnic nationality.

“This is home for me, and this is also the traditional headquarters of Ogoni. If Bori is not at peace, Ogoni can never be at peace. When I heard that someone was killed, I felt it was one thing too many.

“He has done so much to bring peace to this local government. We are behind him, we support him, and we want him to continue to do what he is doing without fear or favour,” he added.

Deeyah warned perpetrators of violence that justice would eventually catch up with them, urging them to abandon criminal activities and allow the area to enjoy peace.

Responding, Bariere thanked the HYPREP Board Chairman for the visit, describing it as a demonstration of solidarity with his administration.

The council chairman vowed to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity, alleging that some individuals seeking appointments as Chief Security Officers were themselves linked to acts of violence.

“It is time we say enough is enough to the killings in Khana Local Government Area. You cannot be a source of insecurity and at the same time seek to be among those providing security. You cannot fool all the people all the time,” Bariere said.

He assured residents that the council was working closely with security agencies to identify and prosecute those behind the recent attacks.

“Upon receiving information about this gruesome murder, we immediately activated the security architecture of the local government. Security operatives are being supported and are fully engaged.

“We are closing in, and we can assure the people of Khana that in the coming days those behind these criminal acts will not only be exposed but will also be prosecuted,” he said.