The Rivers Restoration Movement (RRM) has called for the arrest of prominent Ijaw leaders over alleged threats to disrupt oil production if Governor Siminalayi Fubara is impeached.
The Port Harcourt-based group accused former militant leader Alhaji Asari Dokubo, Ijaw National Congress (INC) President Prof. Benjamin Okaba, and Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) National Publicity Secretary High Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe of making statements that threaten national security.
RRM’s Director-General, Johnson Georgewill, issued a statement on Friday condemning the alleged threats as reckless, provocative, and dangerous to peaceful co-existence.
“As a group committed to peace and unity, we believe no individual or organisation has a monopoly on violence. Security agencies must act swiftly to arrest those threatening the Nigerian state and its economy,” Georgewill stated.
He questioned whether these leaders considered themselves more Ijaw than the nine Ijaw lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly, whom he claimed had been mistreated and denied allowances by Fubara’s administration.
Georgewill further accused the governor of disregarding a Supreme Court ruling and depriving the lawmakers of their entitlements. He urged the public to ignore what he termed “baseless and ineffective threats,” affirming that the rule of law must prevail.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, confirmed that security agencies were aware of the threats, including those from the militant group Niger Delta Rescue Movement, which had vowed to attack oil installations over the state’s federal allocation.
Adepoju, however, dismissed the threats, assuring the public that security forces were prepared to maintain stability.
“We are closely monitoring the situation. No one has a monopoly on violence, and the police command is fully prepared for any developments,” he said.
He reassured residents that Governor Fubara remains committed to peace and urged them to go about their lawful activities without fear.
