By George OPARA
Dr. Thomas Bariere, Chairman of Khana council area of Rivers state has pulled up stronger measures to checkmate insecurity, protect community lands and promote peace and development.
The resolutions were made in an extraordinary stakeholders meeting convened at the instance of the council chairman held at the Suanu Finimale Nwika Conference Hall, located in Khana, Bori council secretariat.
At the meeting, Bariere underlined the need for collective action against insecurity and all forms of criminality threatening the peace of Khana, and strongly condemned the recent attack on the Chairman of the Khana area Council of Traditional Rulers, His Majesty, King Dr. Baridam Suanu Yormaadam.
The council chairman who described the incident as an assault on the collective peace of the area, called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
Also, stakeholders at the meeting agreed to deepen security measures through the continued implementation of “Operation Guard Your Community Farmlands/Forest”.
They also called on security agencies to pursue criminals beyond local boundaries, insisting that many offenders flee to neighboring local government areas after committing crimes in Khana.
Further, the meeting resolved that traditional rulers, chiefs, and community leaders found harboring criminals, kidnappers, or other suspected criminals would face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
On land-related matters, the stakeholders warned against illegal acquisition, encroachment, or sale of government-owned lands and affirmed that offenders would be prosecuted, explaining that any individual or group seeking large-scale land acquisition must obtain the consent of the host community and approval of the Khana local government council.
Part of the resolutions was a reaffirmed support for the people of Sogho over the disputed land reportedly sold by Mr. Serekara Barikpoa, maintaining that the land had already been acquired by the state government for a Banana Plantation Project.
They equally pledged solidarity with the people of Okwale, Sogho, Loorre, and Luebe against any unauthorized invasion or occupation of their ancestral lands.
Other resolutions are for the youth to desist from using online platforms to insult, defame, or undermine leaders while granting approval for profiling and verifying all commercial motorcycle operators in Khana and, to keep existing security outfits and restriction on motorcycle operations between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
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