Governor Nyesom Wike, this morning ordered the release of the ExxonMobil staff detained last week by his government.
The Rives State Governor had last week, ordered the detention of 22 members of staff of the oil giant for violating his government’s lockdown directive.
Wike had also instructed the shut down of movements into Rivers State from any other state or anywhere in the world. See Rivers State Press Release on Lockdown below.
The Exxon Mobil Staff were said to have entered from Akwa Ibom State on Thursday, 16th April. They were thereafter, arrested and detained at the state Isolation Center at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt.
Governor Nyesom Wike detained the 22 members of staff just like he did with the crew and passengers of Carveton Helicopters who also defied the lockdown order.
In spite of the intervention of federal government officials, the governor insisted on the tough measures insisting that the health, safety and security of Rivers State citizens was more important to him.
Read: Governor Wike Reads Riot Act, Dares Those Giving Directives from Abuja
Speaking on the release of the detained ExxonMobil staff, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Zaccheus Adangor said they were released without charges.
He added that the intervention of well-meaning Nigerians contributed to the reviewed order. Adangor added that no charges would be pressed against them.
Prior to this development, PENGASSAN had issued an ultimatum to the effect that it will withdraw operations with effect from from Monday if its members were not released.
In letter posted on the official Twitter handle of the Chairman, ExxonMobil Nigeria Branch of the association, it stated the services will cease on Monday, 20th April if the ultimatum was not complied with.
He also posted a video of the detained staff including 2 women who according to him spent 2 nights in a bus at the stadium.
Statement from PENGASSAN:
Statement on the lockdown by Rivers State Governor:
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