Former Militants Threaten Oil Facility Attacks Amid Dispute Over Rivers LG Funding

The Niger Delta Development Force (NDDF) has issued a stern warning to President Bola Tinubu about what it believes are plans by Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, to use Abuja courts to halt funding for the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Rivers State. This warning, reported by The Vanguard, raises concerns about possible political interference in local finances.

Justin Alabraba, the NDDF spokesperson, cautioned that any court decision blocking these funds could trigger a significant response, potentially reviving past unrest in the Niger Delta that once caused major harm to oil infrastructure—a key asset for Nigeria’s economy.Speaking from Port Harcourt, Alabraba warned that if a court decision goes against Rivers State’s LGAs, the NDDF would retaliate by shutting down vital oil pipelines in the Niger Delta.

He accused Wike of leveraging federal powers for his own agenda in Rivers State, saying, “Nyesom Wike cannot be using Tinubu’s powers to cause problems in Rivers State without any consequences.”Alabraba also noted that destabilizing Rivers State would affect the entire Niger Delta, a region already sensitive to economic and political tensions.

The NDDF claims it won’t stand by if these revenue allocations are cut off, accusing Wike of meddling with the local administration led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Reports suggest that a ruling from Justice Joyce Abdulmalik is expected soon, one that could directly influence the flow of statutory allocations to Rivers’ LGAs.