*Group Wants Ibas To Probe Pipeline Explosions
FOLLOWING rising tensions in Rivers State, suspended Governor of the state, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has dismissed rumours linking him to militant groups.
He emphasised that he has no connetion with any such groups or organisations and warned against any attempts to use his name to justify acts of violence or economic disruption.
Fubara, in a statement issued on Monday, March 24, in Port Harcourt, by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, in reaction to trending videos claiming explosions at oil and gas installations in the state, Fubara described such as ‘fake’ and ‘malicious,’ urging security agencies to trace and punish those responsible for the misinformation.
According to the statement: “Our attention has, once again, been drawn to a flurry of malicious, fake and imaginary videos of purported explosions on oil and gas facilities in Rivers State.
“Virtually all the fake videos have been linked to alleged militant groups in the state, with the creators of such content trying very hard to connect them to supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“Already, the communities where these incidents are alleged to have occurred have reacted, dismissing any claims of explosions on oil and gas facilities in their domains, and reassuring that all critical government assets within their areas are safe, secure and efficiently functioning.”
He emphatically dismissed any report of affiliation with any militant organisation or group, reiterating his commitment to maintaining peace and economic stability, as well as rejection of any criminal activity.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no link to any militant group, does not contemplate any such association and has no reason to encourage any criminal group or elements, anywhere in the state or Niger Delta, to undertake any action inimical to the peace of the people or safety and security of oil and gas facilities, and by extension, the economy of the country.
“The governor had repeatedly made it clear at every public event that the peace of the state is paramount to him and that he would pay any price to secure and sustain peace in the state, as it is only in an atmosphere of peace and security that governance and development can thrive.
“Governor Fubara vehemently warns purveyors of violence and economic sabotage to steer clear of the state and avoid any attempt to use his name or capitalise on the present political crisis to foment trouble in the state,” the statement added.
Fubara warned those spreading falsehoods online to desist, saying: “Security agencies should take note of these fake videos designed to misinform the people and further paint the state in bad light, and take every necessary step to contain them and bring those behind them to book.”
Meanwhile, a group, Simplicity Movement, has urged the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) and security agencies to investigate recent pipeline explosions in the state.
It specifically called for a probe into the explosion on the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) in Bodo, Gokana Local Council.
Speaking at a press conference in Port Harcourt, on Monday, National Leader of the group, Sobomabo Jackrich, said: “We use this medium to express our deepest concern over the recent purported explosions at oil and gas installations across Rivers State.
“While the truth has emerged from the operators of the Trans Niger Pipeline at Bodo community, proving that there were no such explosions in their facility, these incidents pose serious threats to lives, the environment and economic stability of our state.
“We call on the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) and relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the immediate and remote causes of these purported explosions.
“If found to be acts of sabotage, the perpetrators must be identified and brought to justice to face the full weight of the law.”
