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 group, based in Port Harcourt, accused former militant leader Alhaji Asari Dokubo, the President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Okaba, and the National Publicity Secretary of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), High Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, of threatening national security.
RRM’s Director-General, Johnson Georgewill, described their statements as “reckless, thoughtless, and provocative,” warning that no individual or group has a monopoly on violence. He urged security agencies to arrest the leaders and any others making threats against Nigeria’s economy or stability.
Georgewill also questioned whether those calling for sabotage considered themselves more Ijaw than the nine Ijaw lawmakers in the Rivers State Assembly, whom he claimed had been mistreated by Governor Fubara. He insisted that Nigeria’s constitutional democracy must be upheld and urged the governor to comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, assured the public that security forces are monitoring the threats and are ready to prevent any disruption. He dismissed warnings from militant groups, including the Niger Delta Rescue Movement, which had threatened attacks over federal allocation disputes.
“No one has a monopoly on violence. We are handling the situation and will not allow anyone to escalate tensions,” Adepoju stated, urging residents to continue their lawful activities while security agencies remain on high alert.
