The Rivers Restoration Movement (RRM) has demanded the
arrest of prominent Ijaw leaders over alleged threats to disrupt oil production
if the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is impeached.
RRM, an interest group based in Port Harcourt, accused
former militant leader, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, and the President of the Ijaw
National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Okaba, of allegedly threatening the
Nigerian state.
The group’s Director-General, Johnson Georgewill, made
the remarks in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Georgewill also accused the National Publicity
Secretary of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), High Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, of
making violent threats should Fubara be removed from office.
According to him, the statements attributed to the
figures were reckless, thoughtless, and provocative, posing a significant
threat to national security and peaceful co-existence.
“As a group that stands for peace, justice, and a
united Nigeria, we believe that no individual or organisation has a monopoly on
violence.
“Therefore, we call on security agencies to arrest
Dokubo, Okaba, and Sara-Igbe, as well as any other individual or group that
threatens the Nigerian State, its economy, or its people,” he stated.
Georgewill questioned whether those making the threats
to sabotage the nation’s economy considered themselves more Ijaw than the nine
Ijaw lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He also criticised the Ijaw leaders for not speaking
up for the nine lawmakers, who, he alleged that had been maltreated,
humiliated, and denied their allowances by Fubara for over a year.
The RRM boss further accused the Fubara-led
administration of depriving the legislators of their entitlements, in spite of
any court ruling declaring their seats vacant.
“Nigeria operates a constitutional democracy governed
by the rule of law.
“The Supreme Court being the highest court in the land
has already given its ruling, and Gov. Fubara is bound to comply with its
decision,” Georgewill asserted.
He urged the public to disregard what he described as
‘’baseless and ineffective threats,’’ emphasising that the nation’s laws
remained supreme.
Responding, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, CP
Olugbenga Adepoju, stated that the police was fully aware of the threats,
particularly those made by militants.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the
Niger Delta Rescue Movement, a militant group, had threatened to attack oil
installations in protest against the withholding of the state’s federal
allocation.
The group also issued a warning to non-indigenes in
Rivers, urging them to leave for their safety, claiming that hostilities were
imminent.
However, Adepoju dismissed these threats from
militants and other individuals, assuring the public that the police, alongside
other security agencies, are prepared to contain any attempt to destabilise the
state.
“We are addressing the situation step by step; no one
has a monopoly on violence.
“The command is handling the situation and is prepared
for any developments,” he assured.
Adepoju emphasised that all eyes are on the state, and
the police would not allow anyone to escalate tensions.
According to him, those threatening national security
lack the capacity to challenge the government.
“Gov. Fubara, who has been handling the situation with
great maturity and composure, remains committed to peace; so, nothing will
happen.
“The police are fully equal to the task,” he affirmed.
The police commissioner urged residents to continue
with their lawful activities, assuring them that their safety remains a top
priority.
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