Pipeline Attacks: Gov Fubara Denies Links With Militant Groups
•Warns Against Fake Social Media Posts
The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, had denied having links with militant groups responsible for the recent attacks on critical oil and gas facilities in the state.
The Governor who expressed regret over two explosions that happened within some oil and gas facilities in the state, said some mischief makers bent on tarnishing his good image were posting fictitious videos of explosions and insinuating that the perpetrators were his supporters.
Governor Fubara noted that the recent viral reports on social media were fake and misleading, adding that community leaders of those areas claimed in the posts have come out to clarify that such incidents never happened in their domains.
The Governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, on Monday, emphasized that the purveyors of such fake news were hell-bent on causing panic and chaos in the state.
Governor Fubara, however, clarified that he has no reason to encourage violence or any criminal group or elements, anywhere in the State or Niger Delta, to undertake actions 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 reads in part, “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.
“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.”
The Governor, who warned perpetrators of violence and economic saboteurs to steer clear of the state, called on security agencies to take note of the fictitious videos trending online, as such has already triggered enough wrong decisions that would not help the State move forward.
“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 capitalize on the present political crisis to foment trouble in 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, as 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 steps to contain them, and bring those behind them to book.”
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