Arson: Eleme Council Chairman Wants Army To Redeploy Commander

The Chairman of Eleme Local Government in Rivers State, Chief Brain Gokpa, has called on the General Officer Commanding the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army to redeploy the Commander of the Army Unit at Ebubu, Eleme in view of the part he allegedly played in the burning down of the Eleme local government secretariat last Monday.
The council chairman made the call for the immediate redeployment of Captain Zakka Ayuba Chibok, Army Unit Commander in Ebubu Eleme, citing concerns over escalating violence and crime in the area.
Chief Gokpa alleged that Captain Chibok provided cover for a former council chairman and a former member of the House of Assembly and their hirelings and agents to set the council secretariat ablaze.
“Captain Chibok’s inaction has emboldened criminals, with three sons of Eleme shot dead near his command in Ebubu, yet he has taken no action,” Chief Gokpa stated.
“This lack of accountability aids crime in Eleme. We urge the army authorities to redeploy him for the good of our people.”
He said, when he went to the secretariat to assume duties after his swearing-in, he saw the army commander assisting the former council chairman and former legislator to enter into vehicles to drive away from the scene of the arson.
“They were aided by the Army officer,” Gokpa said.
Chief Gokpa criticised his predecessor in office for demolishing the previous secretariat building project without providing a replacement before the existing was burnt.
Gokpa, however assured Eleme people that his administration would build a suitable secretariat to replace the one burnt.
He also expressed confidence in the Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up by the Governor of Rivers State to investigate the fire incident and other violent acts carried out last Monday, that led to the destruction of several local government secretariats and the loss of lives.
Tension in Rivers State have been high following the swearing-in of newly elected local government chairmen for the 23 local government areas. As they moved to take over duties at their secretariats, they met coordinated attacks by people believed to be hirelings of political opponents. This was just a day after the police that had occupied the secretariats moved out.