The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Rivers State has stressed that the state cannot tolerate any bloodshed, especially arising from clashes between ethnic groups.
Rivers State Coordinator of the National Orientation Agency, Edward Banigo, gave this information following the recent clashes with Arewa community youth in the state.
One such clash resulted in the death of a northern trader at Oil Mill Market in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
Banigo called for peace in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, following rising tensions between members of some ethnic groups in the state.
Citizens across the state have expressed fears over the resurgence of ethnic-related violence, with most worrying about the possibility of renewed political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Just last week, commercial motorcycle operations, known as okada, were banned in Igwuruta after an indigenous man was stabbed to death by suspected northern youths.
Banigo also expressed concern over the situation and urged security agencies to increase surveillance on issues related to ethnic tension or conflict in the state.
“It is quite unfortunate to hear news regarding killings from different communities or certain communities in the state. And the unfortunate thing is that these killings are caste-based. This is completely caste-based killing. And that is what the National Orientation Agency is angry about.”
“Recall that the agency has been working on this, preaching about national unity. In fact, we even had a program which we tagged, ‘The Path to National Unity,’ where we stress the need for peace, the need for Nigerians to live together.
“It is unfortunate that some people want to take the law into their own hands by killing their fellow citizens. And this is unacceptable in any civilized society.”
“Now, another round of violence is coming in the name of ethnic problems, it will be too much for the state. Therefore, I want to call on law enforcement agencies, especially the Nigerian Police, to please do more to end this. We cannot afford another bloodshed in Rivers State,” he said.
Banigo also urged security agencies and ethnic leaders in the state to engage in dialogue as a way of reducing ethnic-related tensions in the state.
“Rivers State is known to be a very peaceful state and the people are hospitable, but those who are coming to the state to do business or live here should not take for granted the peaceful nature of the people.
“They should live in peace with their hosts and fellow citizens. I want to urge the leaders of the different ethnic groups, the Northern community, the Yoruba community, the Igbo community and indeed the indigenous community, to please call their members to book who are carrying out these killings.
“Their leaders should please call their members to order. No one has a monopoly on violence. The government is there to ensure that they bring to justice those who are promoting it,” he said.
Meanwhile, the leader of the Arewa community in Rivers State, Musa Saidu, has urged northerners living in the state to abide by the law and co-exist peacefully with their host communities.
His call follows last week's violent clashes that reportedly led to the killing of a community secretary in Ikwerre Local Government Area, as well as the death of a trader at the Oil Mill Market in Rumokurushi, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
“We are calling for peace. We have told our people that they should follow the law. I am sure they are not creating problems,” he said.
Saidu condemned the killings, stressing that no one has the right to take the life of another person.
However, he drew criticism in some quarters from calling for northerners to abandon their communities.
