Governor Wike Signs Three Bills Concerning Security of Rivers State into Law

It has been a media cliché that Rivers State is an unsafe place for investment or people to live in, and the Chief Security Officer of the state, Governor Nyesom Wike never takes it with a smile. The Governor always argues that although there are cases of kidnappings and killings, these also happen in other parts of the country, but is usually overhyped by the media when it concerns Rivers State. On its part, the Rivers State Government has finalized the legislative process to enforce stiffer penalties for perpetrators of some of the crimes that help create the negative perception about the state, and also set up a mechanism for intelligence gathering to aid the security agencies.

Today, Thursday, Governor Wike signed into law, the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Bill of 2018, the Kidnapping Prohibition Amendment bill of 2018, and the Cultism and other related activities Prohibition Amendment Bill of 2018. The last two are expected to serve as a deterrent to people engage or look to engage in such activities.

The Neighbourhood Safety Corps law establishes a corps that is mainly responsible for supporting security agencies with intelligence. The Kidnapping Prohibition Amendment law provides for stiffer penalties to corporate bodies that are found to sponsor kidnapping in the state. The corporate bodies will pay a 50 million Naira fine, and could get their properties confiscated if it is found to be used in kidnapping. The law also institutes death penalty for convicted kidnappers. The amended cultism prohibition law stipulates life imprisonment for those who are found to be members of a cult group.

According to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Ikuinyi Uwaji-Ibani the new laws are expected to send a strong message that the state government is committed to build a safer environment for investments and its citizens. Governor Wike, while signing the bill at the Government House, said although he is usually “reluctant to sign death warrants,” he will not hesitate to do so under the new law to protect the interest of the state.

Gang violence exhibited as cult clashes, kidnappings, and robberies has been the major driver of insecurity in Rivers State. The State Government has in the past, instituted an amnesty programme in a bid to mop up arms used by these gangs, but did not prove very effective.