Rivers State Governor, Nysom Wike has promised to bring all criminals in the state to book as he signed three new security-related bills into law.
Governor Wike while signing the bills on Thursday said they were necessary to enhance security. He promised that criminal activities in the state will be fought to a standstill by his administration.
“All criminals will face the full weight of the law. We will fight crime and ensure that the state is safe for investors,” he vowed.
The newly signed laws include Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Law, Rivers State Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) (Amendment) and the Rivers State Kidnap (Prohibition) (Amendment).
Wike said the Neighbourhood Watch Safety Corps will support existing security agencies with intelligence and information for them to effectively fight crime and make the state safe.
“If your hands are clean, you have nothing to fear about the three laws that I have given assent to. 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.
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He debunked that the State Government plans to use the Neighbourhood Watch to arm youths. The governor said that the corps is a replica of what is already in existence in Lagos State.
In his reaction to the governor’s assent, the Senator Representing Rivers West Senatorial District, Osinakachukwu Ideozu said that the laws will strengthen security operations in the state.
Presenting the bills, Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule said that the laws provide stiffer penalties for criminals in the interest of the state.
Speaker of the House of Assembly, Ikuinyi Ibani said the Rivers State Governor has made a difference by assenting the laws.
