We cannot afford another bloodletting in Rivers, NOA tells groups

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Rivers State has stressed that the state cannot endure any form of bloodletting, especially arising from confrontations among ethnic groups.

Edward Banigo, Rivers State Coordinator of the National Orientation Agency, made this known on the heels of recent clashes involving youths from the Arewa community resident in the state.

One of such clashes led to the death of a Northern trader at the Oil Mill market in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

Banigo, on Tuesday February 17, 2026 in Port Harcourt, called for calm following what some have described as rising tension among members of some ethnic groups in the state.

Citizens across the state have expressed apprehension over the resurgence of ethno-related violence, with most anxious over the prospect of renewed political violence in a run-up to the 2027 general elections.

Only last week, commercial motorcycle operations, popularly known as Okada, were banned in Igwuruta after an indigene was stabbed to death by persons suspected to Northern youths.

Banigo also expressed concern over the situation, urging security agencies to increase surveillance on issues relating to ethnic tension or conflicts in the state.

“It is quite unfortunate to hear the news from various communities or some communities in the state concerning killings. And the unfortunate thing is that these killings are ethnic-based. It is a purely ethnic-based killing. And this is what the National Orientation Agency frowns at.

“Recall that the agency has been on this, preaching about national unity. In fact, we even had a program which we tagged, ‘Pathway to National Unity, where we emphasize the need for peace, the need for us as Nigerians to live together as one.

“It is unfortunate that some persons want to take the law into their hands by killing their fellow citizens. And this is unacceptable in any civilized society.

“Now, coming to have another round of violence in the name of ethnic problems, that one will be too much for the state. Therefore, I want to call on the law enforcement agencies, especially the Nigerian police, so please do more to put this to an end. We cannot afford another bloodletting in Rivers State,” he said.

Banigo also urged security agencies and ethnic leaders in the state to engage in dialogue as a way of quelling ethnic-related tension in the state.

“Rivers State is known as a very peaceful state and the people are hospitable but those who are coming to the state to do business or to live here, should not take the peaceful nature of the people for granted.

“They should live in peace with their hosts and their fellow citizens. I want to call on leaders of the various ethnic groups, the Northern community, the Yoruba community, the Igbo community, and indeed the indigenous community, to please call their members to order, those who are perpetrating these killings.

“Their leaders should please call their members to order. Nobody has a monopoly of violence. The government is out there to ensure that they bring those who are perpetuating this to justice,” he said.

Meanwhile, Musa Saidu, leader of the Arewa community in Rivers State, has urged Northerners living in the state to remain law-abiding and coexist peacefully with their host communities.

His call followed last week’s violent clashes, which reportedly led to the killing of a community secretary in Ikwerre Local Government Area, as well as the death of a trader at Oil Mill Market in Rumokurushi, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

“We are calling for calm. We have called our people that they should be law abiding. I’m sure that they’re not creating problems,” he said.

Saidu condemned the killings, stressing that no one has the right to take another person’s life.

However, he criticized calls in some quarters for Northerners to leave their communities.