Tensions in Rivers State have escalated, as a militant group, Niger Delta Rescue Movement has threatened to attack oil installations in response to the ongoing political crisis and the alleged withholding of the state’s federal allocation.
The group also issued a warning to non-indigenes, urging them to leave for their safety, as they claimed hostilities are imminent.
In response, the Rivers State Police Command vowed to crack down on threats to national security, insisting that no group has the monopoly of violence.
The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, assured residents that security forces are prepared to contain disruptions, warning that law enforcement would not tolerate attempts to destabilise the state.
Adepoju dismissed threats by the militants or others, saying the police is equal to the task.
He stated, “You see, we are taking this thing one step at a time. There is nobody that has the monopoly of violence. If fire is coming from heaven, it will not consume only one person, definitely everybody will be consumed.
“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.
“All eyes are on Rivers State now. I don’t think there is any problem here, but we will not allow anybody to heat up the polity.
“You cannot fight government and the governor himself has been handling the situation well. So nothing will happen. The man on the ground (governor) is peaceful and God is on the throne, we are equal to the task.”
The state has been experiencing political crisis since 2023, while the latest Supreme Court judgment validating the 27 lawmakers loyal to a former governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, created another round of political crisis.
The Supreme Court had on Friday, February 28 affirmed the legitimacy of the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly and nullified the local government election held on October 5, 2024.
The apex court also ordered the seizure of all allocations to the state, asking Governor Siminalayi Fubara to re-submit the budget to the Assembly.
Since the judgment, the Amaewhule-led Assembly has, through its sittings, threatened Fubara’s administration.
On Monday, it gave the governor 48 hours to submit the budget, while on Wednesday, it nullified the appointment of all commissioners and other appointees of the governor and asked him to submit appointees name for screening in 48 hours.
The budget ultimatum expired on Wednesday, while the submission of the names of commissioners for screening would expire today.
