The Niger Delta Development Force, a newly formed militant organization, has issued a warning to bomb oil installations due to an alleged attempt to use a Federal High Court in Abuja to withhold local government funding from Rivers State. This threat coincides with an anticipated ruling from Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on Monday that could have major consequences for governance in the resource-rich state.
The group accuses Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, of leveraging his judicial connections to secure decisions that undermine the leadership of Governor Sim Fubara in Rivers State.
In a statement on Sunday, spokesperson Justin Alabraba declared that any court ruling denying Rivers local governments their statutory monthly allocations would result in significant destruction of oil infrastructure. He warned, “Let them try it on Monday and see. We will shut down key oil pipelines, signaling the start of a larger crisis. Wike cannot exploit Tinubu’s influence to disrupt Rivers State.”
This threat raises significant concerns about the potential for violence and disruption in a region already facing numerous socio-political challenges and a history of oil-related militancy. With the ruling date imminent, local authorities and stakeholders are on high alert for potential fallout from the court’s decision.