The Ekpeye Advocacy Group in Ahoada, Rivers State, has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of deliberately distorting facts surrounding the gruesome murder of SP Bako Amgbashim and the involvement of prominent Ekpeye kings.
In a statement signed by Olimini Chinuzoke (Convener) and Nnamdi Ezebalike (Director of Publicity), the group criticized the Governor’s comments made during the commissioning of the remodeled Government Girls Secondary School in Ahoada on December 6, 2024.
The group described Fubara’s claims that the arrest and prosecution of Ekpeye monarchs, including Eze Ekpeye Logbo HRM Kelvin Anugwo and Eze Igbu Akoh HRM Cassidy Ikegbidi, were politically motivated as “barefaced lies.” They argued that the timeline of events shown no connection between the monarchs’ arrests and the Governor’s political challenges.
“SP Bako was murdered on September 9, 2023, and the Ekpeye kings were arrested two days later. The governor’s political ordeal began over a month later on October 30, 2023,” the group stated, adding that any attempt to link the two incidents is “deliberate distortion.”the group stated.
The advocacy group also condemned the governor’s alleged trivialization of SP Bako’s murder and his apparent attempts to politicize the issue, expressing concern over his public alignment with individuals linked to the crime.
Beyond the controversy, the group highlighted the escalating insecurity in Ekpeye, citing over 20 gruesome murders in recent months, including:
The killing of five people in Edeoha on October 20.
The beheading of two individuals in Ihuowo.
A series of killings in Odiabidi, Ula Ehuda, and Ahoada towns.
The murder of a paramount ruler and youth leader in Oshiugbokor on September 8.
The recent brutal murder of Mrs. Akpani and her five-year-old son, whose stomach was ripped open, and her unborn baby harvested.
The group further alleged that cultists and criminals were rewarded with political positions during the recent local government elections, using proxies to fill councilor slots.
“We plead with security authorities to intervene urgently. There appears to be a deliberate effort to exterminate the Ekpeye people,” the group added.
