Dekor Defends Khana Chairman, Says Criminal Interests Behind Fake Security Claims

Juliet Akoje In Abuja.

A member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Host Communities, Hon. Dumnamene Robinson Dekor, has condemned what he described as a sustained campaign of misinformation and malicious falsehood targeted at the Executive Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Chief Hon. Thomas Bariere, PhD, warning that those behind the alleged fake reports would face the full weight of the law.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Dekor said his attention had been drawn to what he called a deliberate attempt by “disgruntled elements” to malign the person and administration of the Khana council chairman through the circulation of fabricated stories alleging a security crisis in the local government, insisting that no such security situation exists.

He described the campaign as a calculated attempt to tarnish Bariere’s reputation while undermining the peace, stability and progress that have been restored to Khana since the present administration assumed office.

According to the federal lawmaker, the facts remain clear and are well known to residents of Khana, noting that before the inauguration of the current local government administration, communities within the area were plagued by security challenges that threatened peace, social harmony and economic activities.

Dekor, however maintained that through purposeful leadership, strategic collaboration with security agencies, sustained engagement with stakeholders and a commitment to the welfare of the people, the Bariere administration had restored public confidence, strengthened security and created an atmosphere of lasting peace across the local government.

He expressed regret that individuals who, according to him, have made no meaningful contribution to the development of Khana had resorted to spreading lies, half-truths and fabricated stories in what he described as a desperate effort to score political points and create unnecessary fear among residents.

The lawmaker further alleged that the persistent attacks against the council chairman bear the hallmarks of a coordinated effort by persons whose interests have been affected by the administration’s crackdown on gangsterism, cultism, criminality and other forms of social unrest in the area.

He said the determination of Chief Thomas Bariere to rid Khana of criminal elements and restore law, order and public confidence has earned him the support of law-abiding citizens, while simultaneously unsettling those who thrive in an atmosphere of violence, fear and lawlessness.

Dekor argued that no responsible government should tolerate criminality, adding that no genuine lover of Khana should oppose measures aimed at protecting lives and property.

He stressed that, as the elected representative of the people of Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Host Communities, he could not remain silent while individuals attempt to drag the image of Khana into disrepute through what he described as false narratives.

According to him, remaining silent in the face of what he termed calculated falsehood would amount to complicity, a responsibility he said he was unwilling to accept.

The lawmaker consequently issued a stern warning to those behind the alleged campaign, urging them to immediately desist from spreading fake news and inflammatory propaganda capable of undermining public peace and confidence.

While acknowledging that freedom of expression is guaranteed under the law, Dekor maintained that such constitutional rights do not extend to defamation, character assassination, the deliberate publication of false information or actions capable of disturbing public order.

He also claimed that those orchestrating the alleged misinformation campaign are individuals whose interests are fundamentally opposed to the peace, security and lawful order currently prevailing in Khana.

According to him, it was not a coincidence that persons who had consistently opposed the administration’s efforts to combat cultism, gangsterism, kidnapping, violent crime and other criminal activities were now allegedly sponsoring misinformation, blackmail and malicious propaganda against the council chairman.

He insisted that such tactics would neither intimidate the administration nor reverse what he described as the gains already recorded in restoring peace and security in the local government.

Dekor further warned that any individual found, after investigation, to have sponsored, financed, coordinated or deliberately circulated false and malicious publications intended to incite the public, damage reputations or undermine public peace would be reported to the appropriate security and law enforcement agencies.

He added that where investigations establish the commission of any offence, those responsible would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The federal lawmaker stated that all applicable laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, including those relating to cyberstalking, cyberbullying, defamation, malicious publication of false information, incitement, conspiracy and other relevant offences, would be invoked to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice through due process.

Dekor also reminded residents that Khana belongs to all its people and urged every well-meaning citizen to protect the image of the area rather than undermine it for selfish or criminal interests.

He called on residents to remain vigilant, disregard what he described as concocted stories intended to create fear and division, and continue supporting the administration of Chief Thomas Bariere as it consolidates achievements in security, governance and grassroots development.

He maintained that no amount of propaganda, falsehood or sponsored blackmail could erase what he described as the visible progress being witnessed by the people of Khana.

“Facts remain sacred, and history will always distinguish genuine service from desperate propaganda,” Dekor stated, adding that the people of Khana would continue to uphold peace, defend the truth and promote the collective interest of the local government above criminal ambitions.