Despite criticism from the opposition All Progressive Congress, APC, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has signed into law, the Rivers State Neighborhood Safety Corps Law.
Two other bills including: The Rivers State Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) (Amendment) law No.6 of 2018 and Rivers State Kidnapping (Prohibition) (Amendment No.2) law No.7 of 2018 were equally signed into law
The law prescribes life penalty for cultism and death penalty for any cultist convicted of murder. It also prescribes death penalty for kidnapping.
The APC has mounted constant criticism to the Bill. The party accused the Governor of plans to equip a private army.
However, Governor Wike reiterated that only a court of competent jurisdiction can stop the bill and urged the opponents to approach the court for redress.
In a personal overview of the law, the majority leader of the House, Hon. Martin Amaehule said that the laws are designed to provide stiffer penalties for people involved in kidnapping and cultism.
Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, in his remarks, commended the lawmakers for being part of history.
He said: “What you have done today would go down in history that you have contributed to the security of the state”.
“Interest of Rivers State is paramount and there is a need for stiffer penalty for cultists and kidnappers”
The Governor advised that people shouldn’t fight their state for their narrow political interests. He maintained that a society that fights each does not progress.
