From Tony John, Port Harcourt

Rivers State Police Command has declared former militant leader, Solomon Ndigbara, wanted for an alleged arson he planned and executed on February 22 on property worth millions of naira in Bori, Khana Local Government Area of the state.

The declaration was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ahmad Muhammad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), on behalf of the state Commissioner of Police, Musa Kimo.

Police said the former militant leader is a native of Yeghe community in Gokana Local Government Area, urging the public for useful information to track him down.

The declaration came four days after his legal representative, Eugene Odey, told the National Assembly that his client would be willing to come out publicly to defend himself, if his safety could be guaranteed.

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Odey made the request when the House of Representatives Committee on Army held public hearing in Port Harcourt, during their fact-finding mission in the state on the alleged killings in Yeghe community in Gokana council and neighbouring communities in Khana council of the state.

His counsel told the committee that the manner and operations of the Army in Yeghe community did not conform to the 1999 Constitution. He said his client was not convicted by any court and should be protected by the amnesty programme, which he embraced, urging the committee members to take note that the right of Ndigbara had been infringed.

Odey argued that his client was still protected by the amnesty, stressing that,  “it is only the confirmation that the amnesty my client embraced is operational and guaranteeing his safety, that would make my client appear publicly to defend himself.

Odey demanded: “Army should be withdrawn from Yeghe community, and the property of my client should be restored. The manner of operation is what we are questioning.”