Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has raised concerns over the circulation of false reports about pipeline explosions in the state, calling on security agencies to investigate those behind the misinformation.
In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, Fubara dismissed widely shared videos allegedly depicting attacks on oil and gas facilities, describing them as “fake and malicious.” He warned against attempts to incite chaos and reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining peace in the state.
Amid these concerns, a sociopolitical group, Simplicity Movement, has urged the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), along with security agencies, to probe recent claims of pipeline explosions.
The group particularly called for an investigation into reports of an explosion at the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area, which gained attention after claims that a section of the facility had caught fire.
President Bola Tinubu declared emergency rule in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, suspending Fubara, Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu, and state lawmakers. This decision followed reports of three pipeline explosions in different parts of the state within two days.
The incidents came amid threats from militant groups to resume hostilities if Fubara faced impeachment by the Martin Amaewhule-led State Assembly, which is aligned with former Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Defending himself, Fubara distanced himself from any militant group and condemned those seeking to create unrest under the guise of supporting him. He called on security agencies to address the spread of fake videos and take necessary action against the perpetrators.
“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.
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“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.
“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 statement read.
Fubara also issued a stern warning to those attempting to use his name to promote violence, urging them to refrain from destabilizing the state.
“It is also important to warn bloggers and social media hirelings to stop, forthwith, their campaign to create an atmosphere of tension, chaos and anarchy in the state.
“Their fake reports and posts in the last couple of days have triggered enough wrong decisions that would not help the state move forward.
“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,” the statement added.
