Khana Local Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicate all criminal elements from every community across the Local Government Area
Chairman of Khana Local Government, Thomas Bariere stated this on Monday August 3, 2026 when the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Emmanuel Deeyah paid a condolence condolence visit to the Council following the tragic killing of an erstwhile CSO of the LGA, Letam Kine by yet to be identified gunmen.
Bariere stated that all the security agencies in the area are working in synergy to identify the perpetrators of crimes and criminality in Khana. He further revealed that members of the criminal gangs are currently being profiled by the security agencies, and that they are now very close to bringing them to book.
“We have done it before, we have walked this path before, the terrain is very familiar, and we’re concerned about the peace, safety, security of our people and it is the reason upon getting information about this gruesome murder, which is one too many.
“We had to activate the security architecture of the local government and as we speak, the security operatives have been supported, they are up on their game, we’re closing in, and we can assure the people of Khana in the coming days, all of those behind these criminal acts will be, not just exposed, they will be prosecuted.”
The truth of the matter is that some people feel that they always will leverage and work on the sweat of others, they are unchangeable, we have campaigned for people to change, but they cannot stop criminality, and when they see a government that is so focused and committed to ending insecurity, crime will always fight back, but this is the last lap of it”.
The chairman of Khana LGA, Thomas Bariere further revealed that the insecurity ravaging Khana local government sterns, not from cult-related clashes, but from gangs fighting for relevance and recognition in the area. He maintained that the council is united and focused, despite attempts by some individuals to create distractions for his administration.
“As at today, there is no cult crisis in Khana, what we have in Khana today is group of gang leaders who are fighting for relevance. It has to do with economy, some are Chieftaincy-related, but again, issues of security are not to be discussed in the public.
The police and other security agencies in this local government are well aware of the actors they are closing in on them. That, I can tell you for free, so that in the days to come, the people of Khana and indeed, the state and nation will know that truly, these were those that have been behind these insecurity in the local government.
“Our administration is too cemented and solid such that no force can disorganise us. We have a government that is so connected to the people that no amount of distractions, no amount of blackmail can disconnect us from our people”.
Meanwhile, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of HYPREP, Emmanuel Deeyah commended the Chairman of Khana LGA, Thomas Bariere, for what he described as his unwavering commitment and efforts to promoting peace and security across the local government.
“He has done a lot to bring peace to this local government. I’m not just saying it in the air, but I beat my chest and say it. In my community, he helped to restore peace in that town so I felt I should come in, first thing, to say to him that we are behind him, we support him and we like what he is doing, and that he should continue to do it without fear or favour.
This is his term, he is the chairman of council, so at this point in time, the authority lies with him to bring peace, if necessary, force peace into Khana local government”.
Expressing deep concern over the unfortunate incident, the BoT Chairman of HYPREP, Emma Deeyah emphasised the strategic importance of Bori to the Ogoni people, stating that peace in Bori is essential to the stability of the entire Ogoni nation.
“Bori is the traditional headquarters of Ogoni. If Bori is not at peace, Ogoni cannot be at peace,” he said.
Deeyah however urged all stakeholders, community leaders, youths, and residents in Khana to support the ongoing peace initiatives of the Khana Local Government Council by working together to sustain peace, security, and development throughout the area.