Rivers: Militants Threaten To Attack Oil Installations Over Seizure Of Allocation
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
A militant group, Niger Delta Rescue Movement has threatened to attack oil installations in the Niger Delta region over the seizure of the allocation due to Rivers State.
The group called on all non-indigenes living in Rivers State to leave in their interest and safety, pointing out that hostilities are about to begin.
On Thursday, a trending social media video surfaced, showing the militants, numbering about eight, with AK-47 and other assorted riffles in an unknown forest chanting and singing war songs. Chants like “asawana, asawana” (which means: the power of God will not leave us) a common slogan among the Ijaw people of the Niger delta region were heard, with the militants brandishing their weapons.
According to the group, the action of the Martin Amaewhile-led 27 lawmakers is to cause anarchy in the state and pave the way for the declaration of a state of emergency.
It will be recalled that the Supreme Court in its judgment last Friday, upheld a lower court judgment that asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stop the state allocation, and validated the Rt. Hon. Amaewhile-led House as the authentic assembly. In its sitting on Monday, the House issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the 2025 budget before the House. The ultimatum had since expired on the midnight of Wednesday.
The group expressed concerns over the recent development in Rivers state, which they described as a threat to the smooth governance of the state under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“This blatant attempt to destabilise the state is not only alarming but also a clear attempt to a coordinated effort to incite hell potentially to lead to a state of emergency or even an impeachment.
“We call on President Bola Tinubu to intervene immediately and put a stop to the action of the Minister, Nyesom Wike, and his associate whose intent is to drag Rivers state to avoidable crisis.
“Furthermore, we must make it abundantly clear that the youths of Rivers state will not sit idly while our state is dragged into tumult. 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”, one of them stated from a letter he read.
The video, which lasted for slightly over three minutes, also showed the militants saying, “We can’t generate money into the federation account and not have our own share. Our workers deserve their salaries, our government needs the necessary resources to carry out essential development projects”.
They further urged “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 said.
