Militant group, the Niger Delta Rescue Movement, has threatened to attack oil installations in Rivers State. The group claims it is responding to the ongoing political crisis and the alleged withholding of the state’s federal allocation.
In a viral video, about eight armed militants were seen in a forest, chanting war songs and vowing to disrupt oil production unless the federal government intervenes. They also warned non-indigenes to leave the state for their safety.
Police: “We Will Not Allow Chaos”
Reacting to the threats, the Rivers State Police Command has vowed to crush any attempt to disrupt peace in the state. The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, assured residents that security forces were ready to handle any threats.
Adepoju said firmly, “No one has a monopoly on violenceIf fire comes from heaven, it won’t consume just one person. It will affect everyone. We are handling the situation as we should, and we are ready for anything.”
He dismissed the militants’ threats, stressing that law enforcement would not tolerate any attempts to destabilize Rivers State.
“All eyes are on Rivers State now, and we will not allow anyone to heat up the polity. The government cannot be fought, and the governor is handling the situation maturely,” he added.
Political Crisis Fuels Tensions
Rivers State has been facing political unrest since 2023. The situation worsened after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly, nullifying the local government elections held in October 2024. The court also ordered Governor Siminalayi Fubara to resubmit the state budget to the Assembly.
Following this ruling, the Assembly issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the governor to present the budget. They later nullified all his appointments and gave him another deadline to submit new names for screening.
The militants accused the Assembly of deliberately creating chaos to justify declaring a state of emergency. A spokesperson for the group said, “This blatant attempt to destabilize the state is alarming. We call on President Bola Tinubu to stop Minister Nyesom Wike and his associates from dragging Rivers into a crisis.”
He warned that if the state’s federal allocation was not released, the group would take “decisive action,” including attacking oil facilities.
APC, Government React to Threats
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State condemned the threats, insisting that the militants’ actions were unnecessary. APC spokesperson Chibike Ikenga noted that the governor had already pledged to abide by the Supreme Court’s ruling.
“This is a political disagreement that has been settled by the court,” Ikenga said. “Those wielding guns and threatening oil installations cannot stand against the Nigerian state. The country is more powerful than whatever they are planning.”
Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson, also responded, stating that the government would release an official statement on Friday. He distanced the administration from the militants, saying, “We have seen the videos, but we don’t know who they are. We cannot comment on what we don’t know.”
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Ex-Governorship Candidate Denies Involvement
Amb. Sobomabo Jackrich, a former governorship candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), denied any links to the militant group. He expressed concern over the name “Niger Delta Rescue Movement,” which resembles his party’s name.
Jackrich stated, “I categorically distance my party from this group. We are a law-abiding political party, committed to democracy and peaceful engagement.”
Jackrich, who also works as a sub-contractor for Tantita Security Services, further clarified that the militants in the video had no connection to his security outfit.
He said, “I observed that one person in the video was wearing yellow rain boots, similar to our security personnel’s uniform,. But I want to correct that misconception—Tantita Security is not involved in any criminal activity.”
He also denied any connection between the militants and the defunct Niger Delta Liberation Force, stating that its former members were now under the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
Ex-Minister Backs Governor Fubara
Meanwhile, former Minister of Transport, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, has called on President Bola Tinubu to support Governor Fubara in stabilizing Rivers State.
Speaking at the inauguration of a fire service station in Port Harcourt, Sekibo emphasized that Fubara represents the hope of Rivers people, especially the Ijaw ethnic group.
Sekibo said, “For the first time in 24 years, an Ijaw son is governor of this state. We stand with him, and President Tinubu should do the same.”
He also reassured the governor of support, recalling how Rivers people defended former Governor Wike’s second-term bid.
He said, “When Wike’s second term was threatened, our women went naked and dared the military. Governor Fubara, go to sleep because we will do even more for you.”
Governor Fubara Stresses Commitment to Public Safety
In his speech at the fire station’s inauguration, Governor Fubara reaffirmed his commitment to protecting lives and property in Rivers State.
He said, “The government’s role is to provide services and security. While we focus on delivering results, governance should not be reduced to mere publicity stunts.”
He emphasized that the newly upgraded fire station would improve emergency response in the densely populated area.