Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended governor of Rivers State, has denied any affiliation with militant organisations and issued a warning against attempts to foment violence or harm the economy in his name.
Fubara revealed this in a statement released in the state capital of Port Harcourt on Monday by Nelson Chukwudi, his chief press secretary.
The governor was responding to viral films that claimed explosions at petrol and oil facilities in the state, calling them “malicious” and “fake.”
He called on security services to look into the films’ origins and prosecute those involved.
The statement read, “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.”
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Fubara emphasised that he has no affiliation with any militant group and would not encourage any criminal activity that could threaten peace or economic stability.
The statement added, “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.”
He also warned those spreading falsehoods online to desist, accusing them of trying to create chaos in the state.
“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,” he said.
