The federal government has mobilized 10,000 Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel to stop further attacks on oil pipelines coming on the heels of the blasts at oil installations in Rivers State between Sunday and Tuesday.
The NSCDC spokesperson, Afolabi Babawale, confirmed the deployment of anti-vandal operatives on Wednesday, saying that the operatives were saddled with protecting critical infrastructure and preventing pipeline vandalism, particularly in the Niger Delta.
“The NSCDC hereby warns against destruction and vandalism of critical national assets and infrastructure across the Niger Delta as over 10,000 operatives have been deployed to collaborate with other security agencies to provide adequate peace and security of lives and property,” Babawale said.
Tinubu in a national broadcast on Tuesday announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu and the state assembly members.
He also nominated Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (retd.) as the state’s sole administrator.
Ibas, who was sworn in at the Aso Villa on Wednesday, will administer the state for an initial period of six months.
Before the announcement of the emergency rule, the political tension in the state had reached a crescendo leading to three explosions within two days.
The explosions followed threats by Ijaw groups against the push to impeach Fubara, as they vowed to disrupt oil production and cripple the economy if lawmakers removed the governor.
Recall that on Monday, the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly, loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike, had compiled 19 infractions committed by Fubara in a misconduct notice, setting the stage for his impeachment.
Before the notice was served on both the governor and his deputy, there was an explosion on Sunday at the Trans Niger Pipeline in Aluu, in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.
Security agents on Wednesday recovered a corpse at the scene of the explosion, while a suspect was arrested in connection with the blast.
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