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Wike seeks review of recruitment in security agencies

By Ann Godwin (Port Harcourt) and Otei Oham (Abuja)
27 September 2017   |   3:44 am
According to him, people are more afraid of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) than armed robbers and kidnapers, due to the manner it has terrorised the citizens.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike

• Reps split over civil service employment probe

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has urged a review of recruitment in the security agencies.He made the call yesterday in Port Harcourt when the Presidential Investigating Panel to review the compliance of the armed forces with human rights obligation and rules of engagement, paid him a courtesy visit.

According to him, people are more afraid of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) than armed robbers and kidnapers, due to the manner it has terrorised the citizens.

Represented by his deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo, the governor explained that the review was necessary to stop the bad eggs from joining the security agencies and also remove the unprofessional ones.Wike expressed the hope that the panel would come up with sustainable mechanisms to deal with issues of human rights abuses by security agencies.

He expressed concern that across the country, there have been alleged cases of brutality and human rights abuses by security agencies, due to the activities of a few bad eggs.

The governor alleged that security agents undermined the electoral rights of the Rivers people during the last election.Meanwhile, some members of the House of Representatives yesterday voted against a motion seeking to probe alleged non-transparency in the 2016/2017 recruitment into federal civil service.

Henry Nwawuba had sought a resolution mandating its joint committee on Public Service Matters and Federal Character to investigate the allegation.Wike expressed support for the unity of the country, adding that he would not support any secessionist agenda, because God in his infinite wisdom has put Nigeria together as one and will continue to remain so.

He added that the state boundary commission and the relevant ministries and parastatals were also working round the clock to promote peaceful coexistence.

The Chairman of the panel, Justice Bauble Abraham Georgewill, informed the governor that they had received memoranda from various stakeholders and were in Port Harcourt for the public sitting in the South-South zone.

But when Speaker Yakubu Dogara put a question for voice votes on the motion, the majority voted against it and when the question was repeated, the lawmakers gave even higher negative votes.The Deputy Majority Whip, Pally Iriase, had earlier spoken in support of the call, urging his colleagues to support the investigation to ensure equity and fairness.

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