With the recent killing of four soldiers and the kidnap of two South Korean expatriates, concerns have begun to mount on the security situation in Rivers State, exacerbated, unfortunately, by political crisis in the oil rich state.
The already precarious situation of oil production might further worsen in the coming days, following the tension building in the state, a key oil-producing state in the Niger Delta.
Gunmen had killed six people, including four soldiers, while the two South Korean were kidnapped after their convoy was ambushed in the state.
Tension had been building in the last few days as the political altercation between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Mr. Nyesom Wike gained traction.
After the State House of Assembly was bombed recently, the governor had Wednesday, ordered the demolition of what remained of the place. He said the decision was taken to protect the lawmakers still using the building from harm.
However, it was gathered that criminals took advantage of the current tension building in the state to attack soldiers guarding oil installations in Rivers’ waterways.
Interestingly, Nigeria has been unable to meet its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota for years, but the situation might deteriorate further if the problem in Rivers escalates.
Although attacks by militants in the Niger Delta had decreased significantly over the years, the region remained volatile and suffered from crude oil theft and vandalism of pipelines, which had hurt Nigeria’s oil output.
In a statement, Army spokesperson for Nigeria’s 6 Division, confirmed that troops on routine escort duty for an oil-servicing company in southern Rivers State were attacked by suspected militants.
“Unfortunately, four soldiers were killed in action, with two other oil workers unaccounted for,” Danjuma said in a statement.
It was learnt that two civilian drivers also died in the attack, with the oil workers unaccounted for suspected to be South Korean nationals. Two drivers of a major oil servicing company were also said to have died in the incident.
Danjuma disclosed that the military had commenced efforts to track down the culprits, noting that efforts were also on to secure unconditional freedom for the two abducted workers.
He said: “Troops of 5 Battalion on routine escort duty for an oil servicing company at Enweh West manifold, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State were attacked by suspected militants at Emesu junction, along Amungboro -Emuphan road. Unfortunately, four soldiers were killed in action, with two other oil workers unaccounted for.
“The suspects allegedly escaped through the Emesu waterside, using the Orashi River. Troops are currently combing the general area to fish out the perpetrators of this dastardly act. Additionally, efforts are ongoing to ensure that the unaccounted oil workers are found.
“The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army/ Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation DELTA Safe, Maj.-Gen. Jamal Abdussalam, while acknowledging the supreme sacrifice paid by the gallant soldiers, strongly condemns this unwarranted attack,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, a human rights activist and environmentalist, Ann-Kio Briggs has warned that the Rivers State crisis if not curtailed on time was capable of consuming the entire country and even President Bola Tinubu.
Briggs predicated her warning on the importance of Rivers State to the economy of Nigeria and the nature of indigenes of the state whom she observed were not pushovers.
Speaking on the crisis caused by a yet-to-be disclosed disagreement between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT), Wike, and Fubara, the activist, who was a guest on the Arise News Prime Time programme, called on Tinubu to intervene to restore peace to the oil rich state and backbone of Nigeria’s economy.
“I know my state, I know my region, I know my people, I know how my people react, they are not people you push around.
“I have cautioned the president, it doesn’t matter who he favours but should ensure that there is peace in Rivers State. The president must be seen to be intervening,” she added.
While observing that the crisis in Rivers State was not a political issue, she stressed that, “It is a crisis that could engulf the country and even the president,” because Rivers State is very critical and vital to the economy of the country.
Briggs also warned the presidency against the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State because the crisis was being orchestrated from the FCT by the former governor.
According to her, the people of Rivers State should not be allowed to continue to suffer the high-handedness of Wike whom she claimed had the ears of the president.
While describing Fubara as a very shy, gentle individual,who has been loyal to Wike over the years, the activist further warned that Fubara was never a weak person and as any normal human being, was bound to react when pushed to the wall.
She, therefore, urged the president to call Wike to order, adding that the people of Rivers could not condone a situation, where Wike would be supervising the governor from Abuja or having a third term through the back door.
Also speaking on Arise News Prime Time programme, the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Debo Olugunagba, disclosed that the party was not afraid to wield the big stick on Wike or any other member of the party, but had adopted a holistic approach in tackling challenges confronting it as well as ensuring stability.
“No one individual is bigger than the party. We are trying to manage the situation and stabilise the party,” he added.
Olugunagba recalled that the party had taken some decisions shortly after the 2023 general election but had to reverse them because the time was not right.
He claimed Fubara remained a member of the PDP and enjoyed necessary support from the party, adding that the PDP was doing everything to manage the crisis and return peace to the oil rich state.
He commended two of the Rivers State House of Assembly members, who had earlier defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), for retracing their steps back to the party.
Emmanuel Addeh and Alex Enumah
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