In a renewed push to safeguard Rivers State’s maritime borders and restore investor confidence in oil-producing communities, the State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), has pledged aggressive intervention to tackle piracy, oil theft, and other forms of economic sabotage across riverine areas.
This commitment was made during a high-level security stakeholders’ town hall meeting held on Saturday in Opobo Town, Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area. The event brought together traditional rulers, youth leaders, women’s groups, and top security operatives, all united in the quest for a safer, more stable region.
Represented by the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, Ibas reaffirmed that his administration will not tolerate criminal activities sabotaging Nigeria’s critical oil infrastructure and destabilising coastal livelihoods.
“We are here to ensure synergy between the local government, community stakeholders, and security agencies in protecting government installations and curbing illegal maritime activities. Security is everybody’s responsibility,” he said.
Ibas assured residents that the state government would also improve social amenities like healthcare, education, and road infrastructure—addressing long-standing neglect that many locals believe fuels insecurity.
The Local Government Administrator, Mr Frederick Apiafi, described the meeting as timely, noting that while Opobo/Nkoro people are largely peaceful, the area faces unique threats from sea piracy, theft of fishing equipment, illegal oil bunkering, and unauthorized vigilante groups.
“A safer Opobo/Nkoro requires community-driven surveillance, strengthened legal vigilante outfits, and enhanced collaboration with the police and Navy,” Apiafi said.
He expressed confidence that deliberations would yield actionable solutions to stem the tide of criminality undermining the region’s economic potential.
During the interactive session, traditional rulers from the Alapu Council, youth leaders, and women’s associations raised critical concerns. Chief among them were the need for:
Increased naval and marine police patrols in key waterways
Government-sanctioned support for local vigilante networks
Improved funding and logistics for community-based intelligence gathering
Immediate rehabilitation of infrastructure linking the creeks to mainlands
They also urged the government to prioritize employment opportunities and vocational training for young people to discourage criminal recruitment.
Vice Admiral Ibas’ delegation included heads of state security agencies and permanent secretaries, underscoring the administration’s seriousness in implementing a bottom-up security strategy. According to a statement issued by his media aide, Hector Igbikiowubo, the state government has documented all recommendations and will begin phased implementation to address the identified security gaps.
The initiative aligns with Ibas’ broader vision to restore peace and economic viability to oil-bearing communities, many of which have been ravaged by years of environmental degradation and insecurity.
Background: Ongoing Maritime Threats
Rivers State, a key player in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta, has long been plagued by maritime insecurity. Recent reports from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) indicate that incidents of piracy and illegal bunkering in coastal areas have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s oil revenue losses, estimated at over $2 billion annually.
This makes the renewed effort by the state government critical not just for local stability but for national economic recovery.
With retired naval chief Ibok-Ete Ibas at the helm, Rivers State is poised to adopt a proactive approach to community safety and maritime security. The success of this initiative, however, will hinge on sustained collaboration, swift implementation of stakeholder recommendations, and adequate resource deployment.
As expectations mount, residents hope that this will mark a turning point in the long-standing battle against piracy, oil theft, and underdevelopment in Rivers’ coastal corridors.