Wike appoints Chukwuma as neighbourhood watch boss

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has approved the appointment of Dr. Uche Chukwuma as the Acting Director General of the Neighborhood Safety Agency.Dr. Chukwuma, who retired as an Assistant Commissioner of Police, holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree and is a seasoned security professional.

It will be recalled that the Rivers State Governor gave his assent to the Neighborhood Safety Corps Law No.8 of 2018 passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly on Thursday.

Wike has dismissed allegation by opposition politicians that the State Government plans to use the Neighborhood Watch to arm youths. He pointed out that the corps is a mere replica of what is already in existence in Lagos State.

“If your hands are clean, you have nothing to fear about the three laws that I have given assent to. By tomorrow, I will appoint the person that will head the Neighborhood Watch Safety Corps. All criminals will face the full weight of the law. We will fight crime and ensure that the State is safe for investors “ he said.

He explained that Neighborhood Watch Safety Corps will support existing security agencies with intelligence and information for them to effectively fight crime and make the state safer. According to him, the corps cannot work without the approval of security agencies who will profile all the operatives.

Speaking further on the Anti-kidnapping and Anti-Cultism Laws, the governor explained that stiffer penalties have been approved to discourage those who may want to be involved in these offences.

“If you are a cultist and you are caught, it is life imprisonment. If you are a cultist and you kill during cult activities, you will face the death penalty. If you are convicted of kidnapping and the Supreme Court affirms your conviction, I will sign the death warrant without looking back “ he said. Wike reiterated that the State Government will battle cultism and kidnapping to a standstill as it could no longer tolerate these menace.