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From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Family members of the former governorship candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Rivers State chapter, in the 2023 election, Sobomabo Jackrich, and his party have raised alarm over his whereabouts and safety.
In separate statements in Port Harcourt, yesterday, the family members and the NRM also appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to intervene and ensure Jackrich’s immediate and unconditional release.
Jackrich, popularly known as Egberipapa, was allegedly ‘abducted’ and taken to an unknown destination by gunmen dressed in military uniform, after killing two of his aides, in the early morning of Monday.
Messrs Selieye Jackrich and Benson Ibinabo, who spoke for the family and youths, respectively, dismissed the claim by the Rivers State Police Command that the former Niger Delta agitator was arrested by a security agency (name not mentioned). They argued that if it was an arrest, it would not lead to killing two people and carrying their bodies, when there was no confrontation from Jackrich’s aides.
Relatives of the former governorship candidate of the NRM expressed worries that since the incident, nobody has contacted them or taken responsibility for the operation, which lasted several hours at Jackrich’s Usokun residence in Degema Local Government Area of the State. Similarly, the party, in a statement signed by its state chairman, Ibiyekaribo Peters, frowned at the show of force displayed by the gunmen, whose identities were not yet known.
Peters explained: “On Monday, April 8, 2024, in a shocking display of force, unknown gunmen dressed in military outfit conducted a brazen incursion into the premises of our esteemed leader and governorship candidate in the 2023 governorship election, High Chief Amb. Sobomabo Jackrich (aka Egberipapa), located in Usokun, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“Tragically, this unwarranted show of aggression on harmless law abiding citizen resulted in the death of two of his aides; what followed was the whisking away of our leader, High Chief Egberipapa and his staff, who were unceremoniously taken away to an undisclosed location, with the deceased.”
Peters further said the NRM demanded to know the security agency that carried out the incursion, since the police command, through its spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, had claimed it was executed by a security agency.
He said: “As a party, we are yet to know the perpetrators of this gruesome attack only to hear in the news from the PPRO of the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, that a sister organisation carried out an arrest of our leader and killing of his aides.
“We, therefore, call on the Nigeria Police Force, Rivers State Command, to make further clarifications as to who are the sister agency alleged to have carried out the operation by the PPRO Rivers State Police Command? Was there a lawful warrant of arrest issued against the person of High Chief Egberipapa or was he declared wanted by the government or any securities? If that is the case, we also want to know what the allegations are levelled against him and those behind this sinister move.
(Continued on www.sunnewsonline)
“If we were to dwell on the lead given to us and the general public by the Nigeria Police, then, we can boldly submit that this is a flagrant violation of his fundamental rights, as the police is yet to offer any plausible explanation for this heinous attack, which led to destruction of properties, injuries and loss of lives. The continued unlawful confinement of our leader and his aides constitutes a direct assault on justice and the rule of law.”
The NRM, however, called on heads of security agencies in the country to ensure safety and prompt release of its leader and his aides unhurt.
Peters emphasised: “In light of these grave injustices, the National Rescue Movement, Rivers State Chapter, vehemently demand the immediate and unconditional release of Jackrich-Egberipapa and all others unlawfully detained, without any harm inflicted.
“The Nigeria Police Force and their sister security agencies involved in this should de-escalate the tensions and vacate the besieged compound of our leader and offer explanation to the horrendous attack, detention and extrajudicial killings.
“The Nigeria Police Force should facilitate the release of the remains of the deceased aides for proper burial and closure with their families and loved ones. Based on the information provided by the police command, we demand adequate compensation for the families of the young men killed in the gruesome attack and properties destroyed.
“The National Rescue Movement, Rivers State Chapter stands in solidarity with High Chief Sobomabo Jackrich and his family during this challenging period. We remain unwavering in our pursuit of justice and equity, advocating for the protection of fundamental human rights and the rule of law within our society.
“We, hereby, call on the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, and the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, the DG of DSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, to intervene immediately, ensuring the safety and release of our leader, Sobomabo Jackrich, unscathed.
“Furthermore, we appeal to all conscientious citizens of Rivers State, the Niger Delta region, and the nation at large, including civil societies and human rights organisations, to rally to the aid of Sobomabo Jackrich, and his staff still held hostage/detained in an undisclosed location.”
