Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has released the sum of N450 million as compensation for the victims of violence in the 2019 presidential election in Abonnema community of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area. The beneficiaries include those who lost their lives, sustained bullet wounds, lost valuable items and were arrested and detained by the Nigerian Army. The governor was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, at the official confirmation of the names of the deceased and their next-of-kin, as well as other beneficiaries.
He said after the incident, the governor inaugurated a high-powered committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Ipalibo Banigo, to collect data on the people who suffered losses during the presidential election.
Governor Wike enjoined the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, King Disreal Bob-Manuel, to ensure that the beneficiaries were his subjects. In his speech, King Bob-Manuel thanked the state governor for empathizing with the Abonnema community and charged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the money.