To make good his vow to probe the arson and destruction that trailed the local government election in Rivers state, Governor Siminalayi Fubara  has set up a 7-member judicial commission of inquiry for inquest into the arson, killings and violence that occurred on Monday.

Political Economist NG recalls that Ikwere and Emohua Local Government Council secretariats were set on fire by thugs under the supervision of some politicians in the state following the withdrawal of the police officers securing the 23 council secretariats.

President Bola Tinubu had on Monday directed the IGP Kayode Egbetokun to unseal the local government secretariats to make way for the newly sworn in chairmen elected on Saturday to assume office.

Shortly after the secretariats were unsealed, thugs said to have been sponsored by an aggrieved political faction in the state torched two LG secretariats leaving them in ruins and debris.

The attacks provoked Governor Fubara who vowed to take action against those responsible for the mayhem.

He said that the incident, unlike previous cases, will not be ignored, as his administration will collaborate with security agencies to identify the perpetrators and hold them accountable.

A statement by the Office of the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo on Tuesday, said the setting up of the judicial committee was pursuant to Section 2(1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Law, Cap 30, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.

The statement read: “His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, has approved the Setting-up of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the arson, killings, and wanton destruction of property at some Local Government Council Headquarters which occurred on or about Monday, October 7, 2024.”

The statement listed members of the Commission as:

(1)        Hon. Justice I.R. Minakiri                   –           Chairman

(2)        Barr. Felicia Nwoke                            –           Member

(3)        Prof. Blessing Didia                            –           Member

(4)        Sir Samuel Egbe                                              –           Member

(5)        Venerable Alex Usifor                                    –           Member

(6)        Barr. Uzor Ikenga                               –           Counsel to the Commission

(7)        Mrs. Inyingi Brown                            –           Secretary