In a strongly worded statement, a group identifying themselves as the “Egbesu Ijaws of Gbaramatu” has issued threats against the Nigerian government following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the reported suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The group accuses President Tinubu of acting as a “puppet” of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and claims the emergency declaration represents “an act of illegality and senseless abuse of power.”
In their statement, the group threatens potential attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta region. “From now on, anybody that goes close to any of the national infrastructures, especially in the Niger Delta will be doing so at his or her own risk as the safety of these facilities is no longer guaranteed,” the statement reads.
The group claims to have allies “scattered all over including the military” and suggests they might even pursue secession, stating they are not taking anything “off the table” including “a declaration of our own republic.”
The statement references recent unspecified “bomb blasts” and warns of “untold hardship” and “wanton destruction of national oil assets” if Governor Fubara is not reinstated to office immediately.
Nigerian authorities have not yet publicly responded to these threats at the time of reporting.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
