Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, says the state will prosecute 22 staff of American oil giant, ExxonMobil, who entered the state on Thursday, in violation of the lockdown on the state’s borders.
This comes after two pilots of Caverton Helicopters and 10 passengers were released on bail for similar offence.
Speaking on Friday at a press conference, Mr Wike said the oil firm’s staff have been quarantined before prosecution.
He said: “Security agencies arrested 22 staff of ExxonMobil who came into the state from neighbouring Akwa Ibom State in violation of the extant Executive Order restricting movement into the state. We do not know the coronavirus status of these individuals.
“Even though security agencies advised that they be allowed to go back to Akwa Ibom State, I insisted that the law must take its course. This is because nobody is above the law.
“As a responsive government, we have quarantined them in line with the relevant health protocols and they will be charged to court.
“Some people want the escalation of the virus in Rivers State. People were paid to canvass a negative narrative on Carveton Pilots.
“We are doing what we can within available resources to fight coronavirus. You can fly, but as you fly and land, don’t enter our territory.
“We will fight this matter legally. ExxonMobil does not operate in Rivers State. That they have a point at the Onne seaport does not mean that they operate in Rivers State.
“People in Abuja are not happy. They want Rivers State to be infected. They want to kill Rivers people and I will not allow it. I was elected to protect Rivers people. Rivers State is not a pariah State.”
Wike chided the minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika, for saying the governor had no right to order the pilots’ arrest.
“Nigerians shake when they hear oil companies they shake because they have compromised. Imagine an appointed minister issuing an order to an elected governor. They wanted to rig us out and lost,” he said.
“The right thing must be done. We are talking about something that is killing people. They want coronavirus to escalate in Rivers State. The law must be tested. Make sacrifice and let us contain the virus.
“Nobody will use Rivers State as a toy. This Federal Government does not like us, but a government will come that likes Rivers State.”
