The widow of the murdered lecturer of Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic and an agent of the Peoples Democratic Party, in Khana Local Government Area, Funke Gberegbe has said that her deceased husband, Dr Ferry Gberegbe was yet to celebrate his conferment of Doctorate Degree before he was killed.
The lecturer was shot by officers of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS in Khana during the gubernatorial election on March 9.
He died a week later on Saturday, March 16 at St Patrick Hospital Port Harcourt.
The Widow said during a condolence visit by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and PDP chieftains on Saturday that her late husband was the pillar of the family whose sudden death will negatively impact their lives.
Governor Wike while condoling the bereaved family announced that the State Government will set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to ensure that the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) personnel who killed Dr Ferry Gberegbe are brought to justice .
He also announced a N200million scholarship for the four children of the Late Dr Gberegbe, directing the widow of the deceased to open bank accounts for each of the four children.
“We will set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to ensure that the culprits are brought to Justice. It is unfortunate that F-SARs killed the PDP Collation Agent.
“The State Government will offer scholarship to the four young children left behind by the deceased. The Mother of the children should open dedicated account for each of the children. The State Government will pay N50million to each of the four children for their education ”
The governor decried the shooting of the late lecturer by men of F-SARs led by Rivers F-SARs Commander, Akin Fakorede, at the Khana Collation Centre, where he served as the PDP Collation Agent. He said the fatal shots led to his death.
He said: “It is most unfortunate that the young man was shot dead by F-SARs led by Akin Fakorede in an attempt to cart away election results.
“Instead of us to allow people to choose who will represent and govern them, the security agencies will not allow that. Rather they prefer to kill us.
“He died in the course of the defending the PDP. He died in the course of defending democracy. I want to assure the family that all those who killed him will not go free”.
Governor Wike said the Late Dr Ferry Gberegbe remained committed to the PDP even on his sick-bed. He said the deceased sent him a text message saying that he would be very happy when Governor Wike is declared winner of the election.
Governor Wike stated that the State Government will also construct a house for the family of Late Dr Ferry Gberegbe and participate in his burial.
Also speaking, PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus said the late lecturer was a victim of the calculated oppression of the oil rich states by the Army and the F-SARs.
He said that the country is in distress, noting that the nation is sitting on the leg of gun-powder in view of the negative activities of the Federal Government.
“The Commander of F-SARs, Akin Fakorede will kill several people and he cannot be transferred or disciplined. The Police and Army have become politicians, always responding to politicians “, he said.
Father of the deceased, Mr Conduct Gberegbe said he was shocked by the killing of his son by F-SARs operatives. The retired police officer described the late academic as his hope and future .
Ben Lekia, brother of the deceased, said the slain academic only recently bagged his doctorate and was preparing to make further progress before he was cut down.
