Photo: CDS C.G. Musa
By Didimoko A. Didimoko
The Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, and Nigeria Defence Headquarter have put the military on red alert over threats by some Ijaw militant groups to cripple oil production in protest of Supreme Court judgments against Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
It was gathered that the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu and other military topshots were paying close attention to happenings in the state and other parts of the region in the face of recent threats by both militants and the Ijaw National Congress.
It would be recalled that the INC had threatened that it would not guarantee security or oil production over the fate of Fubara.
Sources from Defence Headquarters, Abuja, said the Federal Government was not taking the threats by the various militant groups lightly.
“We are on top of the situation,” one source said, “But we do not want a situation where criminals and copycats pounce on the prevailing situation to unleash mayhem on citizens or oil facilities”.
Our sources said various measures are being put in place both to deter attacks and to repel them when the need arises.
Recalled that Fubara suffered crushing defeats on many fronts, including his fight with the Speaker of the House Assembly, Rt Hon Martin Amaehule and 26 others, who are loyal to the governor’s estranged godfather, Nyesom Wike.
The governor also lost the battle to declare the seats of the 27-pro-Wike lawmakers vacant, over their purported defection to the APC, which the Supreme Court ruled that there was no evidence.
The apex court directed the governor to present the 2025 budget, which was hurriedly passed by four members of the house loyal to him, to Amaehule and 26 others. It also directed the CBN and Accountant General of the Federation to halt the state’s allocation pending fulfilling those directives.
The state has been engulfed by an alleged impeachment plot against the governor for various alleged infringements and financial improprieties.
Militants order foreigners to leave Rivers
On Thursday, a video allegedly by the Niger Delta Rescue Movement went viral, with the militant group threatening to cripple the country’s oil production.
A person who spoke for the group said, “We must make it abundantly clear that the youths of Rivers State will not sit idly while our state is dragged into turmoil. If the federal allocation due to Rivers State cannot be released promptly, we will have no choice but to take a decisive action, including hitting oil production.”
The video showed gangs in military uniforms, touting weapons, singing and dancing.
They said, “We can’t generate money into the Federation Account and not have our share. Our workers deserve their salaries, our government needs the necessary resources to carry out essential development projects.”
“We urge all non-indigenes in Rivers State to consider their safety and leave the state promptly as the situation may escalate. We cherish the safety of all residents and urge for a peaceful resolution to this crisis. Enough is enough. We stand united for the rest and future of Rivers State. We demand respect from our leaders and focus on the development of our region,” they warned.
Count me out of threat on oil installations – Soboma Jackrich
However, Sobomabo Jackrich, leader of the National Rescue Movement, has denied his involvement in the threat to oil installations in Rivers and other states of the region.
Jackrich, a former militant and member of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, said his party was not a member to the threat, adding that he is a law-abiding citizen.
Hear him, “My attention has been drawn to a recent video circulating online, purportedly released by a group Niger Delta Rescue Movement threatening to resume hostilities. I wish to note that: I am deeply concerned about the name of the group as it bears a striking resemblance to my political party.”
He expressed concerns that one of those in the viral video was garbed in the yellow rain boot and black polo shirt synonymous with Tantita Security Nigeria Limited’s personnel, which he works for as a contractor.
“Tantita is committed to lawful security operations in line with its mandate,” Jackrich said.
Meanwhile, as was exclusively reported by Niger Daily News on Wednesday, tension is growing in the state with relationship between the Ijaw and Ikwerre ethnic nationalities straining over the matter.
Ikwerre political and traditional rulers, including those who are supporting the governor, are concerned over alleged plot by their Ijaw neighbours to make the face-off between Wike (an Ikwerre from Obio-Akpor) and Fubara (an Ijaw from Opobo) a tribal affair.
“The Ijaw groups should know that this battle is purely political and sharing formula for the spoils resulting therefrom. They risk losing the broad appeal of Fubara’s position by positioning it as an Ijaw/Ikwerre battle,” one of the traditional rulers in Port Harcourt told our reporter.
