Fake pipeline explosion videos circulating, Fubara tells police

Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has raised the alarm over fake reports of pipeline explosions in the state, urging security agencies to investigate and take action against those spreading false information.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, Fubara dismissed viral videos of alleged attacks on oil and gas facilities as “fake and malicious,” warning against attempts to incite chaos.

He stressed his commitment to maintaining peace in the state.

This comes as a sociopolitical group, Simplicity Movement, called on the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), and security agencies to investigate recent reports of pipeline explosions in the state.

The group specifically urged a probe into the alleged explosion at the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area, which was widely reported after a section of the facility was said to have gone up in flames.

President Bola Tinubu, on March 18, 2025, proclaimed emergency rule in Rivers and suspended Fubara, deputy governor, Prof Ngozi Odu and the lawmakers, after three explosions on pipelines across the state within two days.

The explosion followed reported threats by militants to resume hostilities if Fubara was impeached by the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly loyal to the former governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The President, in what he said was a move to forestall the breakdown of law and order in the state, appointed Ibas as sole administrator.

Fubara, who denied link with any militant group nor contemplated doing so, warned those trying to cause violence or acts of economic sabotage in the guise of drumming support for him to stop forthwith.

The suspended governor called on security agencies to take note of the fake videos and take the necessary steps to arrest 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.

“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 warned purveyors of violence and economic sabotage to steer clear of the state and avoid any attempt to use his name or capitalise on the present political crisis to foment trouble.

“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.

The National Leader of the ‘Simplicity Movement,’ Sobomabo Jackrich, at a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday, said the denial of the explosion at the Trans Niger Pipeline by operators called for concern.

“We use this medium to express our deepest concern over the recent purported explosions at oil and gas installations across Rivers State.

“While the truth that emerged from the operators of the Trans Niger Pipeline at Bodo community proves there were no such explosions in their facility, these incidents pose serious threats to lives, the environment, and the economic stability of our state.

“We call on the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) and relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the immediate and remote causes of these purported explosions.

“If found to be acts of sabotage, the perpetrators must be identified and brought to justice to face the full weight of the law,” he said.

He also said the President was unfair to Fubara over comments on the demolished Rivers State House of Assembly complex.

“As the Sole Administrator has now confirmed for himself, Governor Fubara was already constructing a befitting and modern state Assembly complex, which according to the chairman of the Rivers State Assembly Service Commission, Dr Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja, was a response to calls for better facilities.

“The complex is over 80 per cent complete before the declaration of state of emergency.

“Work was progressing at a steady pace before the sudden imposition of the state of emergency.

“The assertion that the governor abandoned the Assembly complex reconstruction is misleading and should be corrected,” he added.

He declared support for the sole administrator on the condition that democratic government would be restored in due time.

“We call on stakeholders, political actors and well-meaning citizens of the state to desist from further heating the polity, let’s de-escalate tensions and work toward restoring democracy and the rule of law in the state,” he pleaded.