The Killing of Soboma George

Soboma George

The sudden crisis in the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers state may have been the reason behind the killing of ex-militant leader, Soboma George
By Lawson Heyford, Port-Harcourt
Residents of the Borikiri area and the Port-Harcourt township of Rivers State were last Tuesday thrown into confusion, following sporadic shootings that caused panic in the late hours of the day.  The shootings which was reminiscent of the militant era one year ago, was carried out by suspected former militants from a rival camp, a signal to possible resurgence of militancy in the state. Last year, the administration of Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua granted amnesty to militants who were ready to renounce militancy and turn a new leaf, the period of grace expired on October 4, 2009.
Soboma George who broke away from Tom Ateke’s Niger Delta Vigilant Group, was among the ex-militant leaders that were at the presidency for several discussions that paved the way for the amnesty deal.  In the early night raid, like the raid on Entebe, Soboma was killed in cold blood by about five gun men driving in a deep blue Toyota Corolla and dressed in black suits.  The former militant was returning from Enotona High School, Borikiri field where he had gone to play football, when he met his untimely death along Nembe Street, Borikiri, Port-Harcourt.    
Immediately Soboma fell to the killer’s gun, there was pandemonium as those who were with him, including his former militant camp members scampered for safety.  Two other persons including a woman were equally killed, apparently by stray bullets from the gun men while few others sustained various degrees of injury.  In the millee that created fear and confusion amongst the residents who called the security security agencies.  Neighbouring streets in the Borikiri axis down to Aggrey Road and Harbour Road were deserted.
Business centres and other offices within the trouble area hurriedly closed shop while relaxation centres and eateries  closed their doors against customers.  The area suddenly became a grave yard with only soldiers and policemen patrolling the vicinity to quell the tensed situation.  Daniel Abia, the Insider Magazine correspondent was among several other people who were trapped in the confusion that followed.  They ran into some hotels including Rachael Hotels Ltd., Harbour Road for safety.
In 2005, Soboma George was arrested and detained at the Port-Harcourt Federal Prisons on allegation of murder.  But on June 17, 2005, Soboma’s colleagues and supporters stormed the prison along Aggrey Road end of Harbour Road, forced the gates open and set free their leader and over 400 other inmates from the prison.  The Police, consequently declared the ex-militant leader wanted, leading to Soboma going into hiding only to resurface publicly during the federal government amnesty programme.
Following the shooting which took Soboma and his gang unawares, apparently because of the seeming peace and security in parts of the state, his supporters went into their homes, dusted their arms and ammunition and went into the streets of Port-Harcourt, especially the town axis and the various water fronts shooting indiscriminatingly.  The boys, enraged by the felling of their leader, threatened mayhem and a retaliation against their suspected cult group. 
The State Police Command has confirmed the shooting and killing of some persons including Soboma George.  Dr. Rita Inoma-Abbey, the Command’s image maker said security operatives were on top of the matter.  The killing of Soboma has triggered off reactions with many people querying why the young man should be killed now after he had renounced militancy.  Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, the leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF) condemned the killing by yet to be identified gunmen.  He told The Source in an interview that the killing of Soboma was unnecessary ‘at a time everyone has embraced peace in order to move the region and indeed the country forward.’  Asari-Dokubo therefore appealed to former militants to allow peace to reign in the Niger Delta while the government should equally avoid actions that could bring back the region into the dark days of arms conflict.
Insinuations are that the killing of Soboma might not be unconnected with the current spate of war ragging between factions in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.  The Source learnt that the amongst the politicians has even permeated the ranks of the militants with the deceased militant leader heading the home front while his former commander, Ateke Tom is allegedly spearheading the Abuja group where he has relocated for alleged health condition over two months ago.
Early this month, a factional secretariat of the PDP was located at No. 25 Ohaeto Street, D/Line, Port-Harcourt with a quasi-executive put in place to run against the party’s main secretariat along the Port-Harcourt-Aba expressway.  While Chief Godswill Ake holds sway at the main secretariat, Lolo Ibieneye, a former Commissioner under the administration of Sir Celestine Omehia, pilots the affairs of the splinter group.
The state government, using security operatives rounded off Ibieneye and 11 other group members and charged them to court for alleged of membership of a secret cult and illegal assembly that constituted a threat to the peace and security of the state.  Although, permanent secretaries and other civil servants from salary grade level 15 and above were hurriedly summoned to Government House and warned not to sign the bail bonds of the ‘rebel members’, they defied the orders and signed their bail bonds, leading to their being granted bail.  The government went further to revoke the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of the Abuja-based politicians’ secretariat.
The Source learnt that the allegation of charges of cultism angered the opposition PDP members who were perplexed by the high level of conspiracy against them.  Pastor Jerry Needam, publicity secretary of the embattled faction expressed disappointment at the sudden turn of events, leading to the slamming of charges of ‘belonging to a secret cult known as the Big 20’, on members of his group.  He said the accusation was baseless and amounts to political vendetta, having arrested and searched the homes of the 12 offending politicians without finding anything incriminating against them.
The PDP faction frowned at the presence of Ken Chikere, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, and Nyesom Wike, the Chief of Staff to the Government in court, saying that the 12 PDP members were being merely framed up to satisfy the whims and caprices of Governor Chibuike Amaechi.
Already, the PDP faction has raised an alarm of plans to frame up and arrest more Abuja based PDP members for possible prosecution on charges of cultism and illegal possession of firearms.  The group has taken the matter to Mrs. Patience Jonathan, wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, urging her as a mother, to step into the lingering political upheavals in the state and bring pressure on the governor and his administration to drop the charges against his fellow PDP members.
But Dame Patience Jonathan ended her two day visit to her home state, Rivers without addressing the matter, albeit publicly.  It was not clear whether the issue featured in her private discussion with the governor whom she showered with praises as she addressed him intermittently as ‘my son, my brother’ – during the civic reception held in her honour by the government. Her trip however ended abruptly following her husband’s request for her to return to Abuja for some ‘urgent matters.’
Apart from launching her pet programme, the Women for Change Initiative in Rivers state, the First Lady also visited the N3.2billion four-kilometre Okrika Ring Road project, one of the new model health centres as well as the new e-classroom model primary school.  To avoid any possible feud, Patience advised the state government to enter into dialogue with owners of structures that were to give way for government because of the volatile nature of the area.
The First Lady gave the advise in response to Amaechi’s explanation that the controversial demolition exercise being embarked upon by his administration was for development.  But Patience, a daughter of Okrika said "I am not saying they should not demolish, but what I am saying is that the local government Chairman has to seek the opinion of the owners of that compound, contact the village head and let them come into agreement."  She was impressed by the achievements of the governor, just as her husband, Jonathan praised the governor during his official visit to the state three months ago, for his feat within the few years of his administration.