Reps begin probe into killing of Dr. Gberegbe, others during elections in Rivers

An investigation into the killing of Dr. Ferry Gberegbe, a Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic Lecturer, and others during the General Elections in Rivers State has begun, a report by the News Agency of Nigeria ,NAN, reveals.

The probe was launched after Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP-Rivers) at a plenary presided over by Speaker Yakubu Dogara in Abuja, moved a motion under matters of public importance.

Chinda in his motion noted that there was palpable presence of heavily armed men of security agencies in Rivers State during the elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and wondered how such killings took place.

While admitting clear cases of harassment and intimidation of voters and electoral officers, coupled with sporadic shootings by the security personnel aimed at instilling fear in the people, Chinda lamented that the government failed in its duty to protect lives and property as enshrined in the constitution.

Read also: Reps summon Buhari over rising insecurity

“The House notes that during the said elections, there were reports and viral video clips of cases of intimidation, harassment, torture, and shooting to death of innocent, unarmed civilian voters.

“These were done by men of FSARS and the Nigerian Army in several parts of Rivers, including Bori, Abonnema in Akuku Toru, Bonny, Emohua, Ikwerre and Okrika Local Government Areas.

“The House is aware that government owes its citizens the duty of protecting and securing their lives as enshrined in SS. 14(2)(b) and 34(1)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

“The House is also aware that on or about March 9 at the Khana Local Government Area Collation Centre, Dr Ferry Gberegbe, a lecturer with the Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori in Rivers, was shot in his lower abdomen by men of the FSARS led by ACP Akin Fakorede and he died a few days later from the gunshot wound.

“Also, at Degema, one Mrs. Ibisaki Amachree was shot dead by men of the Nigerian Army,” he said.

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