‘I am safe’, Rivers former head of service speaks from Abuja

His statement follows concerns raised by his wife, Florence Nwaeke, late Friday, after she claimed she had lost contact with him following his resignation from service.

Florence, visibly distressed, told journalists she feared for her husband’s safety.

“When he arrived in Abuja, he called to inform me he had landed. I was relieved. But later, people started calling me about an interview he granted. I was shocked—I had no idea what was happening,” she said.

“I sent him messages asking if he was under duress or had been kidnapped. But he didn’t reply, and his numbers were unreachable. Nigerians, please help me!”

In a video message sent to journalists this morning, Nwaeke dismissed claims of being kidnapped, stating that he traveled to Abuja to turn himself in to security agencies.

“Good morning, members of the press. My name is George Nwaeke. I am currently at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja. I arrived here to report myself and certain troubling developments in Rivers State.

“I was the Head of Service until Monday when I resigned. After my press interview, I saw videos of my wife crying, saying I had been kidnapped. That is not true. I am safe in Abuja.

“My wife is unaware of my work-related matters, and it appears she was misled. I want to make it clear—I was not abducted. I came to Abuja because it is home to security agencies, and I feel safer reporting my concerns here.”

Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has dismissed Nwaeke’s allegations, suggesting he was either coerced or financially influenced to make false claims against him.

“Dr. Nwaeke has been compromised. His statements are merely an attempt to fulfill promises made to those who have either pressured or paid him,” Fubara said in a statement yesterday night.

The governor also released screenshots of alleged conversations between Nwaeke and his Chief of Staff, Ederson Ehie, to support his claims.

Nwaeke has also accused Governor Fubara of:

Planning to back Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed in the 2027 presidential election.

Meeting with and allegedly encouraging militants to target oil facilities and other key assets in Rivers State.

The political tension in Rivers State continues to escalate as both sides stand firm on their positions.