Rivers Assembly sets up committee to curb serial killings – TheNigerialawyer

Rivers State House of Assembly has set up a three-man ad hoc
committee to liaise with other government agencies to tackle the
recurring serial killings of young women in hotels in the
state.

The House mandated members of the committee to work in synergy
with security agencies and other government agencies in curbing the
menace in the state.

Members of the committee included Kelechi Nworgu, member
representing Omuma constituency (Chairman), Solomon Sokolo,
representing Abua/Odua (member) and Michael Chinda, representing
Obio/Akpor constituency (member).

Our correspondent gathered that about 10 ladies have been
reportedly strangled to death in the state in the last two months
by suspected serial killers.

During the plenary yesterday, lawmaker representing Emohua
constituency, Sam Ogeh, presented a motion to the House, seeking a
law that would tackle the serial killing. He urged the Assembly to
give hoteliers new strategies to handle such issues.

At the end of debate, the House resolved to set up an ad hoc
committee that would work with other government agencies to
eradicate the menace from the state.

Speaker of the House, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, who announced
constitution of the ad hoc committee, after going through the three
prayers as contained in the motion, said: “We have heard that the
police have arrested two suspects in this regard, meaning they are
closing in on the criminals. The issue of security is so verse that
the mere fact that we are debating this issue does not mean even as
lawmakers, we have absolute knowledge.

“Knowledge is contributory, contribution from other agencies
will also aid what we are doing here. It will give us further and
better particulars for us to reach and form decision by way of
resolution of the House.

“I think the resolution we are going to have now will be an
interim resolution, so that we will take prayer one which is
“condemning such act in strong terms,” which all members who spoke
agreed on.

“The House has resolved that it is condemnable the act of serial
killing, as recorded in the state and that an ad hoc committee be
set up by the House.

“The committee should report back to the House on the next
adjourned date because it is an issue we are not going to leave
long. We have to follow it bumper to bumper, so that we will be
able to keep the world or the public abreast with what is happening
and make our position as an Assembly very clear because we
represent the interest of all,” Ibani stated.

However, the incessant female killings led to the recent protest
by hundreds of concerned women to the Rivers State House of
Assembly, State Government House, Police Headquarters and office of
the Department of State Security, in Port Harcourt.

During their protest, the women demanded a stop to the menace,
seeking the agencies to step up action to the arrest of the serial
killers.

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Again: FG Reaffirms to Upgrade Stadia
Nationwide
The Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has once again
reaffirmed his commitment and political will to upgrade, manage and
maintain in high standard, stadia across the Nation.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare made
his assertion during his visit to some stadia recently, National
Stadium Surulere, Onikan, and campus memorial all in Lagos
state.
As regards the decaying state of the National Stadium Surulere the
Minister assured that Ministry will consult and sit with experts
and stakeholders including auditors to work out best options.
Dare promised to put in motion a process of refurbishing the
edifice which he said is central to bringing back the culture of
sports, which will require political will, and synergy of various
levels of Government, Federal Government, States and Local
Governments working together and most importantly a large dose of
participation by the private sector.
Similarly, Mr. Sunday Dare has also visited the M.K.O National
Stadium Abuja, Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna as well as inspecting
other stadia, he said that Government is ready to upgrade, manage
and maintain these facilities to its optimal working condition that
will attract a huge number of Youth involving themselves in
deferent sporting activities, thereby divertingtheir minds and
attention from vices.
The Minister said this will be one of the several inspections that
will be done on the facilities, reports and audits will be done
before the actual renovation. He said that Government is determined
to build the capacity and good virtues of our youths through the
standard upgrade of these stadia to enhance and ensure relative
peace and security in Nigeria.
As the saying goes, “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop” but when
these youths are positively engaged in one sporting game or the
other in these standard and well equipped stadia, they will become
good citizens of the Nigerian society.

Hasiya Haruna
Information Officer.
For: Director Press.