In a bid to calm the nerves of residents in Rivers state and Nigerians at large, the Rivers State Police Command unequivocally refuted the rumoured violent altercation between the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and some security operatives loyal to the minister of the federal capital territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, in Government House, Port Harcourt.
A statement by the Command on Sunday said such “unsubstantiated report currently circulating, alleging a violent altercation at the Rivers State Government House involving supposed military forces allegedly loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike and current Governor Sim Fubara”, was false, adding that “we can confirm that there was no such incident, and this narrative is a deliberate fabrication aimed at inciting fear, confusion, and unrest within Rivers State”.
Signed by SP Grace Iringe-Koko, Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, the statement said that there has been “no reports of armed confrontations or casualties involving Nigerian military personnel within Rivers State.
“Furthermore, Governor Fubara has neither ordered a curfew, nor called for any form of take-over of security operations within the state by militant groups. The Nigeria Police Force and other security and law enforcement agencies remain in full control, actively maintaining peace and security in Rivers State and across the State.
“This false narrative serves no purpose other than to disturb the peace and tranquility in the State. The public is therefore urged to disregard these false rumours and refrain from spreading unfounded and destructive reports, while we call on all and sundry to verify information from credible sources and avoid sharing sensational and baseless claims targeted at causing discord.
“The Commissioner of Police in charge of Rivers State hereby reiterates that the Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents of the State. He equally exhorts residents of Rivers State to go about their lawful activities without fear as police officers and officers of other security agencies are on ground, vigilantly ensuring that peace and security are preserved at all times”.
Sources in Government House informed our correspondent that Governor left in a convoy with all the security operatives in Government House to attend the Sunday service at Salvation Ministry in the morning and thereafter attended a birth day service of his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu in another church.
“There is no sign of any crisis between the Governor and the security operatives. As I am talking to you now, am in Government House. They all left in a convoy to Salvation Ministries and are expected to join the deputy Governor in OPM for her birthday service” one of the sources said.
Recall that just last week, rumour mill had it that Fubara had ordered for the shutting down of the NNPC and the operations of all oil companies in the state in a retaliation to the withholding of the local government allocations of the state. Government had since refuted the allegation.