Following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, soldiers have taken position in strategic locations in Port Harcourt and within and around the premises of the State Government House.
They were also seen parading the streets of the capital city in armoured vehicles and other vehicles.
Towards restoring law and order, the President had declared the state of emergency in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday evening.
He had announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
The President went ahead to appointed a retired Naval Chief, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs.
A few hours after the announcement, soldiers took control of the Rivers Government House in Port Harcourt.
A reliable source disclosed that Governor Fubara was still in his official residence when troops arrived on the premises around 9:00 pm.
“As I speak to you now, soldiers are inside the Government House, but the governor remains in his residence,” the source said.
An Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was stationed at the entrance of the Government House, overlooking the main road.
A report said several SUVs with their headlights on outside the main gate at 9 pm were sighted. It was unclear whether the governor was preparing to leave the premises.
The state of emergency sparked immediate reactions across Port Harcourt.
Residents and motorists rushed home after hearing the news, while groups of people gathered on the streets to discuss the situation.
Some residents expressed shock and blamed political actors for the unfolding crisis.
Prior to the declaration of the state of emergency, there was an emergency security meeting at Aso Rock Presidential Villa, headed by the President, which also followed twin explosions at two oil pipelines in Rivers State on Tuesday.
The meeting, which started around 3:00 pm, was attended by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, State Security Service Director-General Adeola Ajayi, and National Intelligence Agency Director-General Mohammed Mohammed.
Also present were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, and other senior government officials.
