By Paul Olayemi

Hundreds of protesters from Abigborodo Community in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State on Monday stormed a Seplat Energy project site, demanding recognition as a host community under the Petroleum Industry Act.  

Arriving as early as 7 a.m., the women carried placards with bold inscriptions such as “You must recognize us as host community,” “This is our land and not yours,” and “You will have to kill us over our land.”  

Patient Ologho, a prominent woman leader, told Vanguard:  “They have refused to recognize us as host community and we will continue to protest. Our children and our fathers and brothers have no jobs, and we are hungry. They have refused to recognize us.”  

Felicia Koma, another protester, called on the Delta State Government to intervene:  “We cannot continue like this. We are suffering, and Seplat pretends we don’t exist. The government must step in now.”  

Adding her voice, Oyibodudun Ajemijereoma declared:  “We are not begging Seplat for favors. We are demanding our rights as host community under the law. If they want peace, they must recognize us.”  

Other women and youths joined the protest, chanting solidarity songs. On the other side of the site, casual groups of men also staged demonstrations, intensifying the tense atmosphere.  

Background of Previous Protests

This latest action follows a string of similar demonstrations. In November 2024, Abigborodo and neighboring Obotie communities staged a dramatic protest in the creeks, accusing Seplat of encroaching on their ancestral lands. At the time, Seplat Energy denied the allegations, stating that records of assets acquired from Shell did not list Abigborodo and Obotie as host communities.  

Earlier in 2023, Abigborodo leaders had also petitioned the Delta State Government, insisting that Seplat’s refusal to recognize them violated provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, which mandates benefits for host communities.  

Community Cries Out Over Pipeline Work

The Abigborodo community has consistently raised its voice against what it describes as Seplat Petroleum’s continued disregard for its rights as host to major oil installations in OML 41.  

At a press conference held in the town hall, community leaders accused Seplat of pressing ahead with new pipeline installations without consultation, despite years of petitions and documented evidence of ownership of lands in Ugbekoko, Uton Iyatsere, and Abigborodo.  

They recalled that the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021 and the Host Communities Development Regulations of 2022 clearly spell out the obligations of oil companies to engage host communities. Yet, they said, Seplat has ignored these provisions, leaving the people sidelined.  

The community pointed to several government reports, including the Delta State Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Okpe Sobo Forest Reserve, published in gazette no. 1 of 2021, which affirmed Abigborodo’s ownership of the lands. They lamented that the state government has failed to act on the white paper arising from that inquiry, which called for recognition and compensation of the people.  

Leaders also cited the findings of the Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Committee, which investigated complaints against Seplat and concluded that Abigborodo and Ugbekoko are host communities. They expressed disappointment that the recommendations have not been implemented, leaving the community vulnerable and excluded.  

The Community’s Stand

“The commencement of pipeline operations without resolving earlier disputes leaves much to be desired,” the community declared, warning that such actions risk fueling communal crises and social unrest in the Niger Delta.  

Answering questions from journalists, the chairman of the Abigborodo Management Committee drew parallels with the Niger Delta crisis that led to the amnesty programme. He argued that the root cause was the trampling of community rights, and cautioned that unless Seplat engages with Abigborodo, the situation could escalate.  

He urged the governor of Delta State to take decisive action by implementing the white paper and the peace-building committee’s report. “Leadership requires making clear decisions. Either accept or reject the recommendations, but not acting at all leaves communities in limbo,” he said.  

The community outlined its demands: Seplat should halt pipeline operations until proper engagement is established; security agencies should not be used to suppress legitimate protests; and the federal government, NUPRC, and other relevant agencies should intervene to protect Abigborodo’s rights.  

In closing, representatives stressed that they remain committed to peaceful and lawful means of defending their lands. But they warned that continued disregard of their rights would deepen poverty and threaten peace in the Niger Delta. They called on the press to give wide coverage to their plight and on the government to act swiftly to prevent escalation.

All efforts to reach Seplat Energy for comments were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.