Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has denied any connections to militant groups following the circulation of videos alleging explosions at oil and gas facilities in the state. He condemned the videos as “fake” and “malicious,” warning against any attempts to incite violence or disrupt economic activities in his name.
The governor’s response was conveyed in a statement released on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, in Port Harcourt. Fubara called on security agencies to investigate the origins of the videos and take necessary action against those responsible.
“Our attention has, once again, been drawn to a flurry of malicious, fake and imaginary videos of purported explosions on oil and gas facilities in Rivers State,” the statement read.
He noted that the videos were being linked to alleged militant groups, with some people attempting to associate them with his supporters. However, communities where the supposed incidents occurred have dismissed the claims, assuring that oil and gas facilities remain intact and fully operational.
Fubara firmly denied any involvement with militant groups and stressed that he would never support any actions that could jeopardize the peace and security of the state.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no link to any militant group, does not contemplate any such association, and has no reason to encourage any criminal group or elements, anywhere in the state or Niger Delta, to undertake any action inimical to the peace of the people or safety and security of oil and gas facilities, and by extension, the economy of the country,” the statement added.
The governor also reassured the public that maintaining peace in Rivers State remains his top priority. He stated that governance and development can only thrive in a peaceful environment and warned against any attempts to exploit the ongoing political crisis to create unrest.
He further called on security agencies to take note of the false videos and bring those responsible to justice.
“Security agencies should take note of these fake videos designed to misinform the people, and further paint the state in bad light, and take every necessary step to contain them, and bring those behind them to book,” he said.
