Tensions in Rivers State have risen as a militant organization, the Niger Delta Rescue Movement, vowed to attack oil sites in reaction to the state’s prolonged political instability and the alleged withholding of federal funds.
The group also issued a warning to non-indigenous people in the state, asking them to evacuate for their protection, claiming that hostilities were impending.
In response, the Rivers State Police Command promised to crack down on any threats to national security, emphasizing that no organization has a monopoly on violence.
Olugbenga Adepoju, the Commissioner of Police, informed citizens that security personnel were ready to handle any disruptions and warned that law enforcement would not tolerate attempts to destabilize the state.
Adepoju denied the threats by the militants or others, saying the police were equal to the task.
He stated, “You see, we are taking this thing one step at a time. There is nobody that has a monopoly on 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 really, but we will not allow anybody to heat the polity.
“You cannot fight the government, and the governor himself has been handling the situation very maturely and well. So nothing will happen. The man on the ground (governor) is peaceful, and God is on the throne, and we are equal to the task.”
The state has been in a political crisis since 2023, and the recent Supreme Court rulings recognizing the 27 lawmakers loyal to former governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike have triggered another round of political turmoil.
On Friday, February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court upheld the validity of the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly and declared the local government election held on October 5, 2024, invalid.
The Supreme Court also ordered the seizure of all state allocations and directed Fubara to resubmit the budget to the Assembly.
Since the rulings, the Amaewhule-led Assembly has threatened the Fubara government in the state during its sittings to confirm its power.
On Monday, it allowed the governor 48 hours to provide the budget, and on Wednesday, it invalidated the appointments of all commissioners and other governor appointees, requiring the governor to submit appointee names for screening within 48 hours.
The budget deadline lapsed on Wednesday, and the deadline for submitting commissioner names for screening was today.
In response to the warning, a viral video spreading on social media on Thursday shows approximately eight militants armed with AK-47s and other firearms in a forested location, screaming war songs and threatening to interrupt oil production until the federal government intervenes to settle the political standoff.
The video shows militants brandishing their weapons while chanting “asawana, asawana,” a common phrase among the Niger Delta’s Ijaw people.
The militants accused the state House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, of creating turmoil to justify a state of emergency.
A supposed leader of the group read a letter: “We, the Niger Delta Rescue Movement, wish to express our deep concern regarding the recent development in Rivers State, threatening the smooth governance of our beloved state under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“It has come to our attention that certain individuals who proclaim to be lawmakers have issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the state governor to present the 2025 state budget.
“This blatant attempt to destabilize the state is not only alarming but also a clear attempt at 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 Minister Nyesom Wike and his associates, whose intent is to drag Rivers State into avoidable crises.”
He further warned, “Furthermore, we must make it abundantly clear that the youth 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 decisive action, including hitting oil production.”
The video lasted for slightly over three minutes, as the militants stated that, “We can’t generate money into the federation account and not have our share.
“Our workers deserve their salaries; our government needs the necessary resources to carry out essential development projects.
“We urge all non-indigenes in Rivers State to consider their safety and leave the state promptly as the situation may escalate.”
