*** Fubara Says ‘I have no hand in oil pipeline bombing’
Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd), on Thursday said his mission is to restore law and order, stabilise the polity and create the necessary environment for the full restoration of democratic institutions.
Ibas made this known in a broadcast last night hours after he assumed office at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
Ibas said: “Those who seek to sabotage the social or economic stability of Rivers State and national infrastructure and institutions within the state or who attempt to disrupt the peace for selfish or destructive gains, will find no tolerance for their actions.
“There will be no room for lawlessness. No space for violence and no patience for actions that threaten our collective well-being. We will not act arbitrarily.
“But neither will we hesitate to enforce the law when necessary. Let no one be in doubt, we will uphold justice and fairness but we will also ensure that civil order prevails.”
He vowed to protect the people of Rivers and ensure lasting peace.
The former Naval Chief, arrived at Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, at about 11:30am aboard the Naval 5N-ARA Bombardier aircraft.
The administrator inspected a quarter guard mounted for him by the military at the airport.
He later held a brief meeting with some employees at the Executive Chamber.
The Sole Administrator also held a meeting with the Head of Service, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Security agencies.
The Director of Energy Security in the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Ojukaye Flag Amachree, attended the meeting.
Ibas, after the meeting, commended the manner residents had comported themselves peacefully.
He vowed to do everything possible to ensure peace in the state.
Ibas said: “Thank you for what you’ve been doing so far. You all know that I just got in here and decided to meet with the Head of Service, the permanent secretaries and the service commanders.
“Port Harcourt is my city and everything appears calm, but we just want Port Harcourt to get back to what it has always been.”
Ibas was accompanied by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, and the Commander of 115 Special Operations Group, Nigerian Air Force.
Also on Thursday, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara denied any link with those who bombed oil pipelines in response to his indictment by Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi on Wednesday.
