Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State on Wednesday directed the police and other security agencies in the State to hunt down the killers of a chieftain of All progressive Congress (APC) Mr. Sunday Frank Oputu.
Mr. Frank-Oputu was assassinated by yet to be identified gunmen on Tuesday night at his Yenagoa residence.
Governor Diri, who condemned the killing during the 73rd state executive council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday, described the incident as most unfortunate and unacceptable.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as calling on politicians to play politics devoid of violence.
He charged security agencies to intensify the investigation into the murder, and that they should leave no stone unturned to find Oputu’s killers and bring them to justice.
He commiserated with the family of the deceased and called on residents in the State to be vigilant and report all criminal activity to security agencies.
The governor also denounced the burning of the houses of a serving House of Representatives member and that of his brother in Aghoro Community in Ekeremor Local Government Area, describing it as uncalled for.
He said as an immediate measure to maintain security, the leadership of the community has been sacked until further notice.
He called on the people of the state to embrace peace at all times and learn to be their brother’s keeper.
His words: “We received the sad news of the assassination of Sunday Frank-Oputu. Let me say that killing does not settle scores. We cannot bequeath a state of killings to our children.
“Let us build our brothers and sisters, and not to assassinate them. On behalf of our government, we send heartfelt condolences to the family.
“We have put the security agencies on their toes to go after the killers. We will do everything within our powers to track down those responsible. Our state has been very peaceful and there is no reason for any man to take the life of another.
“In Aghoro, the homes of a member of the House of Representatives and that of his brother were razed. I hereby disband the community leadership in that community.”
Trek Africa
