Gov Wike goes tough, declares 19 persons wanted for operating illegal refineries in Rivers

*Orders query, arrest of govt official abetting bunkering activities

Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike, on Sunday, declared 19 individuals wanted for operating illegal crude oil refining sites, which are responsible for the black soot menace in Rivers State.

The governor, in a statewide broadcast, also directed the Rivers State Head of Service to query one Mr. Temple Amakiri, a Director in the Ministry of Energy, for abetting bunkering activities and hand him over to the police for investigation and possible prosecution.

He assured the people of Rivers State that his government is determined to effectively tackle the soot menace by destroying and closing down all identified illegal crude oil refining sites and activities across the state.

The governor identified some individuals who he termed the “kingpins of bunkering and illegal crude oil refining activities” and he declared them wanted.

They include: “Mr. Azubike Amadi, OSPAC Commander, Ogbogoro community and Chairman of Akpor Central OSPAC; Mr. India, of Rumuolumeni community and Chairman of Oil bunkering Association in Akpor kingdom; Mr. Okey who is in charge of Oil bunkering in Rumupareli; Mr. Anderson, who is in charge of oil bunkering activities in Ogbogoro community; Amadi Gift of Ogbogoro community; Azeruowa of Ogbogoro community; and Kingsley Egbula, also of Ogbogoro community”.

Also declared wanted for oil bunkering activities in Isiokpo community were: “Mr. Kemkom Azubike, Mr. Mezu Wabali, Mr. Chigozi Amadi, Mr. Opurum Owhondah, Mr. Bakasi Obodo ,Mr. Opus, Mr. Galaxi Mas, Mr. Chioma, Mr. Ogondah, Mr. Soldier, Mr. Chefo, and Nkasi”.

Governor Wike said his government has also identified those behind illegal bunkering activities in Okrika communities, Port Harcourt Township, Rivers South-East and Rivers South-West Senatorial Districts, adding that their names would be soon published and declared wanted, if they fail to voluntarily report to the Police.

He urged residents of the State to report those involved in illegal crude oil refineries and other damnable activities to the State Task Forces which has already been set up at the State and Local Government levels for immediate action.

Wike also reaffirmed that the total ban on the use of motorcycles in Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt councils, which was necessitated by the collective threat they posed to the security of lives and property