FG Planning to Frame Me for Gun-running, Wike Alleges

  •   Says Fakorede’s aide arrested for armed robbery

By Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has raised the alarm that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government has plotted to frame him for gun-running ahead of the 2019 elections.

The governor also alerted Nigerians on the alleged arrest of the orderly of Rivers State Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) Commander, Akin Fakorede, and another Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operative for armed robbery and kidnapping.

Speaking during a thanksgiving service in honour of the Chairman of the State Local Government Service Commission, Chief Azubuike Nmerukini, yesterday at the St. Thomas Anglican Church, Diobu, Wike said the Federal Government has contacted a Lebanese who has been directed to claim that he received money from him (Wike) to procure arms for the 2019 elections.

He expressed regret that the Federal Government has entered a devious mode where it believes that framing opponents would enhance its political fortunes.

He noted that initially Nigerians thought he was playing politics until Former President Olusegun Obasanjo revealed details of how “the desperate” APC-led Federal Government plans to frame him up.

His words; “The Federal Government has arranged with a Lebanese to say that I told him to buy arms for the purpose of the forthcoming elections.

“I am not close to any Lebanese, let alone give money to anyone to buy arms for elections. We have dutifully served our people and we don’t need to purchase arms for elections. 

“If elections are held 20, 000 times, we will win because our projects have positively impacted the lives of our people.”

The governor stated that the Federal Government is also planning to sponsor crisis in Rivers State ahead of the 2019 elections, for the state’s election to be postponed. He said the target is to use security agencies for rigging purposes.

“They plan to cause so much crisis in the state so that Rivers election is held on a separate date. Their plot will fail. Rivers election will hold same day with that of other states,” he stated.

Speaking further, Wike said that most of the kidnappings and armed robbery in Rivers State were masterminded by SARS operatives under the leadership of Akin Fakorede.

He said the arrest and detention of the SARS Operatives prove their involvement in criminality against the people of the state.

The governor said Sergeant Ndubuisi Okoro, the Police orderly of the Rivers State Commander of SARS, Akin Fakorede, has been arrested for armed robbery and kidnapping while another member of the Rivers State SARS Commander’s team; Sergeant Christopher Abakpa, has also been arrested for armed robbery and kidnapping.

Wike declared he was alerting Nigerians because the Police High Command would sweep the matter under the carpet.

He said the two SARS operatives run a kidnap and armed robbery gang of eight persons. According to him, the policemen have confessed to their crime.

He said the State Government is in possession of the statements made by the arrested operatives who kidnapped one Mrs Eva.

On the thanksgiving service, Wike thanked God for preserving the life of Nmerukini.

When contacted for confirmation of the arrest of the SARS operatives, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nnamdi Omoni (DSP), said he was just returning to town and had not been briefed if there was any such incident.

He however promised to reach the SARS Commander for confirmation of the incident and brief the press later.

Related Articles