The Niger Delta Development Force, a militia group in Nigeria’s Niger Delta, has issued a warning to shut down oil facilities in the region if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not address actions by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
OsunDailyNG reports that the group accused Wike of undermining Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration.
In a statement on Sunday, spokesperson Justin Alabraba expressed outrage over what the group claims is Wike’s attempt to use a cooperative judge to block local government funding for Rivers State as early as today, Monday.
The statement reads, “If any judge in Abuja rules in a way that financially cripples local governments in Rivers, preventing them from serving the people, we will not hesitate to respond. We will act swiftly, shutting down key oil facilities in the Niger Delta. If President Tinubu allows Wike to interfere with local governance in Rivers, we will disrupt governance nationwide. It’s time for Wike to back off from Fubara.”
The group emphasized their frustration with what they view as Wike’s federal influence being used to intimidate Fubara.
The militant group stated, “For months, Wike has insulted and bullied Governor Fubara. We won’t allow this any longer. Any further move against Fubara will lead to the destruction of oil facilities. Tinubu’s inaction implies we’re all in this together. Rivers belongs to its people, not Wike, who now seeks to destabilize his successor.”
They concluded with a stern warning, “If a judgment goes against Rivers, there’s no turning back. We will destroy oil installations continuously. This is not a threat, but a commitment. Enough is enough; Wike and Tinubu can no longer disregard us.”
