March 9 violence: Wike announces N200m scholarship for children of slain lecturer

Rivers State Governor, Barr Nyesom Wike has announced N200million scholarship for the four children of Dr Ferry Gberegbe, who was killed during the March 9, 2019 governorship and state House of Assembly election at the Khana Local Government Area collation centre by alleged operatives of Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS).

.This as the State Government said it will set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to ensure that the F-SARS personnel who allegedly killed Dr Ferry Gberegbe, who was also PDP Khana Collation Agent are brought to justice.

Governor Wike spoke on Saturday in Port Harcourt when he led leaders of Rivers State on a condolence visit to the family of the slain lecturer.

The Governor said, “We will set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to ensure that the culprits are brought to Justice. It is unfortunate that F-SARs killed the PDP Collation Agent.

“The State Government will offer scholarship to the four young children left behind by the deceased. The Mother of the children should open dedicated account for each of the children.  The State Government will pay N50million to each of the four children for their education.”

.Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Rivers State chapter, has urged the Inspector General of Police, Abubakar Mohammed Adamuto, to set up a panel to investigate the killing of the lecturer with the state polytechnic by alleged Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) led by Mr Akin Fakorede in the state.

The party recalled that Dr Ferry Gberegbe, a senior lecturer at Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic who was PDP Khana collation agent, was allegedly shot by operatives of F-SARS on March 9, 2019 at Khana Local Government Area.

Speaking during a press conference on Saturday in Port Harcourt, the state PDP chairman, Mr Felix Obuah, disclosed that two other persons who were injured by the gunshot from the alleged police officers were receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital in the state.

Obuah stated the need for quick probe into the killing of the father of four (Ferry), so as to bring the perpetrators to book.

He said: “We wish to call on the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Abubakar Mohammed Adamuto to institute a panel to probe the brazen involvement of the Rivers State Commander of F-SARS, Mr. Akin Fakorode and his gang of police operatives in the organized invasion of polling units, collation centers, abduction of electoral officers and the shooting and killing of innocent persons during the general elections at Khana, Gokana, Ikwerre, Eleme, Tai, Oyigbo and Ogu/Bolo Local Governments of the State.

“As we speak, one of the victims of Akin Fakorode’s assault, Dr. Ferry Gberegbe, a senior lecturer at the Ken Saro Wiwa Polytechnic has died of gunshot wounds, while Mr. Marvin Lezor Kpea-ue, Raymond Ledogo and several persons are presently battling with life-threatening injuries inflicted on them by Akin Fakorode and his murderous gang.

“We wish to reiterate that Mr. Akin Fakorede has over the years become a recurrent obstacle to the peaceful conduct of general elections in Rivers State; and he does so with provocative bravado and criminality.

“It is on record that Mr. Akin Fokorode was copiously indicted by INEC’s investigative panel for direct interference and involvement in the violence and rigging that characterized the 10^thDecember 2016 and 18^thAugust 2018 Legislative Houses re-run elections in Rivers State.

“Unfortunately and to the consternation of law abiding citizens, because nothing has been done to bring him to justice, Mr. Akin Fakorode continues to revel in his criminally culpable assault against our electoral system and the people of Rivers State and getting away with willful assault, murder and criminal violence as if he is above the law.

“This time around, it is our hope and prayer that Akin Fakorode must not escape justice for his numerous crimes against the electoral system and the people of Rivers State, which can only happen with his arrest, investigation and trial as the law demands. Otherwise, such acts of impunity and disregard for the laws of our country will not stop.”