Tensions in Rivers State have worsened following threats from a militant group, the Niger Delta Rescue Movement. The group has warned of attacks on oil installations in response to the ongoing political crisis and the alleged withholding of the state’s federal allocation.
The militants also issued a warning to non-indigenes in the state, advising them to leave for their safety, as they claimed violence was imminent.
In reaction, the Rivers State Police Command assured residents that security forces were prepared to deal with any threats. Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, warned that no group had a monopoly on violence and that law enforcement was ready to prevent any attempt to destabilize the state.
Adepoju stated, “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.”
The crisis in Rivers State has been ongoing since 2023, with the latest Supreme Court ruling adding to the unrest. On February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court affirmed the legitimacy of the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly and nullified the local government election held on October 5, 2024. The court also ordered the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to resubmit the state budget to the Assembly.
Following the ruling, the Assembly issued a 48-hour deadline for the governor to submit the budget. It later nullified the appointment of all commissioners and other appointees, demanding the submission of new nominees for screening.
Amid this political turmoil, a video surfaced online on Thursday, showing armed militants chanting war songs and threatening to disrupt oil production unless the federal government intervened. In the video, the militants accused the Assembly of creating chaos to justify a state of emergency.
A supposed leader of the group read a letter, warning that Rivers youths would not stand by while the state was dragged into further crisis. He added that if the federal allocation was not released, they would take action, including disrupting oil production.
The video, which lasted over three minutes, showed militants holding AK-47 rifles and other weapons, repeating the phrase “asawana, asawana,” a slogan commonly used by the Ijaw people of the Niger Delta.
In response, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State dismissed the threats, noting that the government had the power to control any situation. APC spokesperson, Chibike Ikenga, stated that the governor had already agreed to abide by the Supreme Court ruling, making the militants’ threats unnecessary.
Ikenga said, “The person who they claimed they are speaking for has said he is going to implement the Supreme Court judgments without reservations. So it makes a mess of what they are saying.”
The Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson, said the government would issue an official response on Friday. However, he declined to comment on the militants’ threats, stating that he did not know who they were or who they represented.
Meanwhile, Sobomabo Jackrich, the governorship candidate of the National Rescue Movement in the 2023 election, distanced himself from the militants. He clarified that his party had no connection to the Niger Delta Rescue Movement, despite the similarity in names.
Jackrich emphasized that his political group, the Simplified Movement, was a peaceful organization and urged security agencies not to fall for any attempts to frame him. He also stated that the defunct Niger Delta Liberation Force, which he previously led, had been integrated into the Presidential Amnesty Programme and was no longer engaged in militancy.
As the political situation remains tense, former Minister of Transport, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, called on President Bola Tinubu to support Governor Fubara. Speaking at an event in Port Harcourt, Sekibo urged Rivers people to rally behind the governor and not lose hope.
Sekibo stated, “Governor Fubara carries the collective hope and vision of all Rivers people who are resolute and determined to continue to support him. This is the reason President Bola Tinubu should also support Governor Fubara.”
He recalled that during the last administration, Rivers people stood firmly behind former Governor Nyesom Wike during his second-term bid, even in the face of military threats. He assured Fubara that he would receive the same level of support from the people.
Governor Fubara, speaking at the event, assured the public that his administration remained focused on governance. He noted that his government was working to improve public safety and services without unnecessary publicity.
“The purpose of the government is to provide services and protect lives and property,” Fubara stated.
