Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Government sunday sent a delegation led by Talford Ongolo, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Seriake Dickson, to commiserate with the families of four cattle dealers shot by unidentified gunmen at the weekend.
The government called on the police, the Department of State Service (DSS) and other security agencies to apprehend the killers of the prominent cattle dealer, Alhaji Jibril Abdulkarim, and three of his aides who were shot to death at their private abattoir in Yenagoa.
The deceased cattle dealer was a member of the state committee for the Management and Control of Ranches, and Chairman Cattle Breeders Association (CBA) in the state.
Ongolo, who represented Dickson during the visit to commiserate with the families of the deceased, condemned the ‘reprehensible’ act, saying he government was shocked by the incident.
He assured the families of the determination of the state government to collaborate with the security agencies to ensure that those behind the ‘heinous act’ are arrested and brought to justice.
The Chief of Staff who was accompanied by top government officials and security chiefs in the state, described Jibril as a peace loving, law abiding and easy going businessman who was a friend to all, including the government.
He said: “I want to on behalf of His Excellency, Governor Seriake Dickson, and the Government of Bayelsa State sympathise with you all over this sudden loss.
“As a government we condemn it and we shall work closely with the security agencies to apprehend the criminals who committed these unacceptable acts in order to bring them to book.
“Alhaji Jibril was a good man; he was very easy going. He worked closely with our government to promote peace and unity among all. He was never caught violating ‎any law and we are indeed shocked to hear of his gruesome murder alongside some of his boys.â€
Ongolo warned that the state government would not tolerate crime and criminality in the state, stressing that the criminals behind the death of Jibril and his workers shall not go free.
He promised that despite the ‘pockets’ of criminal activities perpetrated by a few misguided elements, Bayelsa remains one of the safest states in Nigeria to live and do business.
He urged the security agencies not to relent until the perpetrators behind the killing of innocent people are apprehended and made to face the law.
The police had said that while exploring other leads, the authorities were aware of the rivalry within the cow dealers’ union.
