Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has raised the alarm over false reports of pipeline explosions in the state, urging security agencies to investigate and take action against those responsible for spreading misleading information.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, Fubara dismissed viral videos of alleged attacks on oil and gas facilities as “fake and malicious,” warning against attempts to incite unrest.
He reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining peace in the state.
This follows a call from the sociopolitical group, Simplicity Movement, for the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), and security agencies to investigate recent reports of pipeline explosions in the state.
The group specifically urged a probe into the alleged explosion at the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area, which was widely reported after a section of the facility was said to have caught fire.
On 18 March 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers and suspended Fubara, the deputy governor, Prof Ngozi Odu, and the state lawmakers, following three pipeline explosions across the state within two days.
The explosions came after reported threats from militants to resume hostilities if Fubara was impeached by the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly, which is loyal to former governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
In an effort to prevent the breakdown of law and order in the state, the President appointed Ibas as sole administrator.
Fubara, who has denied any links to militant groups or any intention to form such associations, warned those seeking to incite violence or engage in economic sabotage under the guise of supporting him to cease immediately.
The suspended governor called on security agencies to take note of the fake videos and take appropriate action to arrest the perpetrators.
“Our attention has, once again, been drawn to a series of malicious, fake, and fabricated videos of alleged explosions at oil and gas facilities in Rivers State.
“Nearly all these fake videos have been linked to supposed militant groups in the state, with the creators of such content attempting to wrongly associate them with supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“The communities where these alleged incidents are said to have occurred have already responded, dismissing any claims of explosions at oil and gas facilities in their areas and reassuring that all vital government assets within their jurisdictions are safe, secure, and functioning efficiently.
“To be absolutely clear, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no ties to any militant group, does not entertain any such association, and has no reason to encourage any criminal group or individuals, anywhere in the state or the Niger Delta, to take actions detrimental to the peace of the people, the safety and security of oil and gas facilities, or the country’s economy,” the statement read.
Fubara warned those seeking to instigate violence and economic sabotage to stay away from the state and refrain from using his name or exploiting the current political crisis to stir trouble.
