Khana Chairman: We Won’t Bow to Criminals, Chieftaincy Disputes — Bariere Unveils Security, Electricity Plans

The Chairman of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Thomas Bariere, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to neutrality in criminal activities and chieftaincy disputes, while outlining measures being implemented to address insecurity and accelerate development across the council.

Bariere spoke on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, during a live radio programme, against the backdrop of the gruesome killings of Philip Barikui, a protocol officer to the council chairman, and another young man from Khana, Barikpe Barimamma.

The chairman condemned the killings, describing the attacks on members of his administration and residents as a disturbing attempt to create fear and undermine the council’s policies.

According to him, his administration took a deliberate decision from inception not to identify with criminal groups, interfere in chieftaincy disputes or operate outside legally recognised institutions.

«“As a government, ab initio, we resolved that we will not identify with any criminal gang. We resolved that we will not interfere with issues of chieftaincy. We resolved we will work with legally recognised institutions and structures in the land.”»

Bariere said the killing of Barikui and his friend represented a direct challenge to the principles guiding his administration, particularly its refusal to associate with criminal elements or become involved in traditional leadership disputes.

He stressed that, as the council’s chief security officer, he was determined not to allow criminal activities to intimidate the government or force residents into taking the law into their own hands.

The council chairman assured residents that security agencies were working to identify those responsible for the attacks and would bring them to justice.

He appealed to residents to resist the temptation to resort to self-help, warning that such a response could further worsen the security situation.

«“True test of leadership is not during times of comfort. Our integrity is being put to test, our resolve not to identify with criminal elements is being put to test, our resilience is being put to test.”»

Bariere said security operatives had been given the necessary support and had committed to pursuing criminals regardless of where they operate.

He noted that the council was also strengthening community-level intelligence gathering, describing grassroots information as essential to effective crime prevention.

As part of the administration’s security and grassroots development strategy, Bariere disclosed that the council had commenced the payment of monthly stipends to key community leaders.

The beneficiaries, he said, include traditional rulers, Community Development Committee (CDC) chairmen and community youth presidents.

According to him, the initiative is designed not merely as financial support but as a mechanism for deepening grassroots participation and improving the flow of security intelligence from communities to relevant authorities.

«“The intention is to strengthen the process of gathering intelligence at the community level. We have done that because we know that with intelligence, security operatives will discharge their duties effectively.”»

The chairman maintained that community leaders were strategically positioned to identify emerging threats and provide timely information that could help security agencies prevent criminal activities before they escalate.

Beyond security, the council chairman highlighted his administration’s ongoing electrification programme, assuring residents that the project was being implemented in phases.

Bariere explained that the phased approach was designed to ensure that electricity infrastructure could be extended systematically across the local government rather than concentrated in selected communities.

He assured residents that no community would be left behind, promising that all communities in Khana would be connected to electricity within the shortest possible time.

The electrification programme, he said, forms part of the administration’s broader development agenda aimed at improving living conditions and creating an environment conducive to economic activity at the grassroots.

Bariere called for sustained cooperation among residents, traditional institutions, community leaders and security agencies, stressing that government efforts alone could not guarantee lasting peace.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly share credible information with security authorities, particularly as criminal elements increasingly adopt hit-and-run tactics.

The chairman reiterated that his administration would remain focused on its development agenda despite the security challenges confronting the council.

He said the government’s refusal to associate with criminal groups or interfere in chieftaincy disputes was a matter of principle, adding that his administration would continue to work through legally recognised institutions while pursuing security, electricity and other development initiatives across Khana.