Rivers Police Vow to Crush Militants Threatening Oil Production
Tensions in Rivers State have reached a boiling point as a militant group, the Niger Delta Rescue Movement, threatens to disrupt oil production over the state’s deepening political crisis. The group, citing alleged injustice in the handling of federal allocations and governance issues, has issued an ultimatum, warning of impending hostilities.
In a viral video circulating on social media, armed militants brandishing AK-47s and chanting war slogans vowed to cripple oil operations if the Federal Government fails to intervene in the political standoff. They accused the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly of deliberately stoking chaos to justify a state of emergency. The group also urged non-indigenes to evacuate the state, suggesting the crisis could spiral out of control.
Police Issue Strong Warning
Reacting to the threats, the Rivers State Police Command declared zero tolerance for any attempt to destabilize the state. Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, assured residents that security forces were on high alert and prepared to neutralize any insurgent activities.
“There is nobody that has a monopoly on violence. We are handling the situation as we should and are ready for anything that comes,” Adepoju stated. “Rivers State is under watch, and we will not allow anyone to heat up the polity.”
He emphasized that law enforcement would not permit any group to hold the state hostage, assuring citizens that the governor and security agencies were working to maintain peace.
A Political Crisis Fueling Tension
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The unrest stems from a prolonged power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and factions aligned with former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The Supreme Court’s recent ruling, which upheld the legitimacy of the Amaewhule-led House of Assembly and nullified the state’s local government elections, has intensified the standoff.
Following the ruling, the state assembly issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Fubara to resubmit the 2025 budget. The lawmakers later nullified the appointments of all commissioners and ordered the governor to submit new names for screening within another 48-hour deadline, which expired today.
The militants claim the state is being deliberately strangled financially to weaken Fubara’s government. “If the federal allocation due to Rivers State is not released, we will take decisive action, including hitting oil production,” a spokesperson for the group declared in the video.
Fears of Escalation Amid Calls for Intervention
Observers warn that the political turbulence, if left unchecked, could push Rivers State into a full-blown crisis with dire economic consequences for Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta. Civil society organizations and stakeholders have urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently mediate between the warring factions before the situation spirals further.
Meanwhile, security forces remain on high alert, with reinforcements deployed to critical locations. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether Rivers State can pull back from the brink or descend into further chaos.
By PRNigeria
