In the face of escalating tensions in Rivers State, where a militant group, the Niger Delta Rescue Movement, has threatened to attack oil installations and warned non-indigenes to leave the state, the Rivers State Police Command has vowed to decisively counter any threats to national security.
The command, led by Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju, has assured residents that security forces are fully prepared to contain any disruptions, issuing a stern warning against attempts to destabilize the state.
Adepoju dismissed the militants’ threats, asserting that law enforcement is “equal to the task.”
“You see, we are taking this thing one step at a time. There is nobody that has a monopoly of violence. If fire is coming from heaven, it will not consume only one person, definitely everybody will be consumed,” Adepoju stated.
“So, nobody can threaten anybody, we are handling the situation the way we should and we are ready for anything that is going to come.”
He added, “All eyes are on Rivers State now. I don’t think there is any problem here really, but we will not allow anybody to heat the polity. You cannot fight the government and the governor himself has been handling the situation very maturely and well. So nothing will happen. The man on the ground (governor) is peaceful and God is on the throne and we are equal to the task.”
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The state has been embroiled in a political crisis since 2023, which was further exacerbated by recent Supreme Court judgments validating the 27 lawmakers loyal to former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The court affirmed the legitimacy of the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly, nullified a local government election, and ordered the seizure of state allocations until Governor Fubara resubmits the budget to the Assembly.
Following these judgments, the Amaewhule-led Assembly issued a series of ultimatums to the governor, including a 48-hour deadline to submit the budget and a demand for the submission of commissioner nominees for screening.
In response to the growing tensions, a viral video surfaced showing armed militants in a forested area, chanting war songs and vowing to disrupt oil production. The militants, heard chanting “asawana, asawana,” accused the Amaewhule-led Assembly of instigating chaos to justify a state of emergency.
A purported leader of the group read a letter, stating, “We the Niger Delta Rescue Movement wish to express our deep concern regarding the recent development in Rivers State, threatening the smooth governance of our beloved state under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. It has come to our attention that certain individuals proclaim as lawmakers have issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the state governor to present the 2025 state budget.
“This blatant attempt to destabilise the state is not only alarming but also a clear attempt at a coordinated effort to incite hell, potentially to lead to a state of emergency or even an impeachment.”
The leader further called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, accusing Minister Nyesom Wike of attempting to destabilize the state.
Source: Ripples
