Following the emergency rule declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, the Nigeria Police Force in synergy with the military, Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have tightened the security of the state to avert further attacks on critical oil and gas facilities.

The security beef up is coming amid reports of recent attacks on critical oil and gas facilities within the state following the declaration of state of emergency.

Speaking on behalf of the joint security team during a press briefing on Tuesday at the Rivers State Police Command Headquarters, Port Harcourt, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepuju, said operatives averted the vandalism of pipelines at Aluu and Rumuekpe in Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas of the state, neutralising the suspects in those areas.

CP Adepoju emphasised that following the declaration of state of emergency, all the security agencies have been working as a team to ensure safety of lives and property.

He commended the joint patrol teams for doing a great job in ensuring peace and orderliness in the state, disclosing that six kidnap victims were recently rescued in Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area, while eight male suspects were arrested.

CP Adepoju said at the wake of the operation three pump action rifles, two locally made pistols, four local single barrels, military camouflage, assorted ammunition and two motorcycles were recovered from the hoodlums.

He further disclosed that in a parallel pipeline attack attempt in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area on March 16, 2025, operatives intervened and the suspects arrested, recovered four dynamites and communication equipment, stressing that within the period under review, the joint security team had destroyed over 30 illegal refining sites and impounded thousands of litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), better known as diesel.

The Rivers police boss, however, warned that in the next seven days, the police and other security formations will begin clamping down on vehicle owners with unregistered number plates, urging members of the public to provide security agencies with information concerning activities of criminals.

He said, “The safety of our environment is paramount to foster business growth. We remain resolute in maintaining law and order. “We are fully prepared to carry out our responsibilities with diligence. We have improved deployment of security operatives to curtail movement of criminals and illicit materials.

“A targeted enforcement will commence to impound unregistered number plates, because such issues can jeopardise security.

“The Rivers Police Command will work in collaboration with other agencies to ensure peace and safety in the state”.