From Tony John, Port Harcourt
The former governorship candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) in Rivers State, Sobomabo Jackrich, has dissociated himself and his organisations from a militia group threatening hostilities in Rivers State and Nigeria.
Sobomabo was swiftly reacting to the emergence of a militant group known as the Niger Delta Rescue Movement, which threatened to attack oil installations in response to the 48-hour ultimatum given to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by the House of Assembly to present the 2025 budget. The militant group, seen in a viral video, also issued a directive to all non-indigenes in Rivers State to consider their safety and leave the state as hostilities are about to escalate.
The group further declared that unless the federal government and all players involved in the crisis do the needful by sheathing their swords, it would hit the nation’s oil production if the allocation due to Rivers is not released promptly.
Briefing journalists in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Jackrich, who is the National Leader of the Simplicity Movement, a pro-Fubara body, also distanced his groups, the defunct Niger Delta Liberation Force (NDLF) and Tantita Security, from the militants’ threat of hostilities. He alleged there are plots by enemies of the state to drag him into the political unrest in the state because of his support for Governor Fubara.
Jackrich expressed: “My attention has been drawn to a recent video circulating online, purportedly released by a group identified as the Niger Delta Rescue Movement, threatening to resume hostilities in response to the 48-hour ultimatum issued to Governor Siminalayi Fubara by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly.
“I wish to make the following clarifications regarding this video: There is no link between my party and the group. I am deeply concerned about the name of the group, as it bears a striking resemblance to my political party, the National Rescue Movement (NRM). As the leader of NRM in Rivers State, I categorically distance my party from any link, affiliation, or connection with this group. NRM remains a law-abiding political party committed to democratic principles and peaceful engagement.
“In the said video, I observed that one of the individuals was wearing yellow rain boots, a black polo, and jeans—an attire similar to that which is worn by my personnel working for the Tantita Security Services under a sub contract with Tantita Security responsible for protecting oil installations and securing our waterways.
“I wish to state unequivocally that neither Tantita Security under my watch nor myself have any link, involvement, or association with the said militia group. Tantita Security is committed to lawful security operations in line with its mandate.
“As the leader of the defunct Niger Delta Liberation Force, it is my responsibility to also exonerate the group from this seeming semblance in the name of the said militia group because the NDLF currently is under the Presidential Amnesty Programme and no longer into its old ways.”
The former governorship candidate alleged: “This development aligns with the alarm I raised yesterday about certain individuals who are hellbent on framing me and linking me to criminal activities in order to use security agencies to take me and other leaders supporting Governor Fubara out of circulation. Their ultimate aim is to manipulate the forthcoming local government elections without opposition.
“This same sinister tactic was employed against me on April 8, 2024, when the military invaded my home, destroyed my property, and killed two of my workers. By the grace of God, I am alive today, and nothing incriminating was found against me despite their desperate attempts to silence me.”
Jackrich reiterated that neither the NRM nor Tantita Security under his leadership has any connection with criminality or acts of violence. He called on security agencies to remain vigilant and not fall for the deceitful antics of those seeking to frame him for their selfish political gains.
He declared: “As a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I have the inalienable right to support whoever I want. And thus, my support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara should not be criminalized or turned into an offense. I will continue to stand by what is right, and no amount of intimidation will deter me from my convictions.”
Jackrich urged Rivers people to remain peaceful and steadfast, saying truth and justice will prevail.
