Over 10,000 security operatives including personnel of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), have been deployed to curb further attacks on oil installations in Rivers State.
This was confirmed on Wednesday by NSCDC spokesman, Mr. Afolabi Babawale.
He said that anti-vandal operatives have been drafted to the affected areas, particularly in the Niger Delta, to protect critical infrastructure and prevent future pipeline vandalism.
“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.
Though, this is coming as the opposition lawmakers and Organised Labour protested against the imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.
Tinubu in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu and the state assembly members for an initial period of six months.
He cited prolonged political instability, constitutional breaches, and security threats as reasons for taken the measure.
As part of the directive, he also appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas as the sole administrator to manage the state’s affairs until normalcy is restored.
Ibas, who was sworn in at the Aso Villa on Wednesday, will administer the state for an initial period of six months.
Before the declaration of the emergency rule, the political atmosphere in the state was highly charged, 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.