A group under the aegis of the Niger Delta Rescue Movement has issued a chilling threat of violence against oil installations in the Niger Delta region in response to the alleged seizure of Rivers State’s oil allocation.
The militant group sent a menacing message to non-indigenes residing in Rivers State, warning them to vacate the area immediately in the interest of their personal safety.
The group also issued an ultimatum to the Federal Government and all parties implicated in the crisis, demanding the immediate release of Rivers State’s oil allocation, vowing to inflict severe damage on Nigeria’s oil production if their demands are not met.
A disturbing video circulating on social media on Thursday revealed eight militants brandishing AK-47s and other weapons in an unidentified forest, chanting and singing war songs “asawana, asawana” a popular slogan among the Ijaw people of the Niger Delta region.
This latest threat by the militants comes in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling last Friday that upheld a previous judgment suspending Rivers State’s allocation. The court’s decision validated the Amaewhile-led House as the legitimate Rivers State Assembly.
Following the ruling, the Amaewhile-led House gave Governor Siminalayi Fubara a 48-hour ultimatum to present the 2025 budget before them, an ultimatum that expired in the wee hours of Wednesday morning.
The statement read, “It has come to our attention that certain individuals proclaim as 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 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.
“The people of Rivers state like stability, progress and a conducive environment for governance.”
The three-minute-long video also captured 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.”
