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Tag: Abigborodo

  • Abigborodo reaffirms ownership of PPL 220 oil field, dismisses Sapele Okpe’s claims

    Abigborodo reaffirms ownership of PPL 220 oil field, dismisses Sapele Okpe’s claims

    The Abigborodo community has restated its ownership of Ugbekoko, Uton Iyatsere and all lands comprising the PPL 220 oil field, rejecting recent claims by leaders of the Sapele Okpe community as baseless and misleading.

    In a detailed position paper, the Chairman of the Abigborodo Management Committee, Hon. Misan Ukubeyinje, faulted assertions published on an online platform which called on the Federal Ministry of Environment, oil companies and other government authorities to disregard Abigborodo’s claim and alter the long-established name of PPL 220.

    Ukubeyinje described the claims as legally untenable, historically inaccurate and unsupported by verifiable documentary evidence, insisting that Abigborodo remains the rightful owner of the oil field and the adjoining communities.

    He said colonial records obtained from the National Archives in Ibadan, and cited in correspondence by Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, the Alema of Warri Kingdom, clearly establish Abigborodo’s ownership of Ugbekoko and Uton Iyatsere.

    According to him, the records include judicial proceedings and official investigations conducted by British colonial authorities, which upheld the claims of Abigborodo leaders to the disputed areas.

    The Abigborodo chairman further stated that Itsekiri communities, including Abigborodo, Obotie, Aruwun, Ogorode, Ajimele, Ogwanja and Aja-Ojigwo, were aboriginal settlements in Sapele long before the migration of the Okpe people from Orerokpe in the early 1900s. 

    He cited colonial intelligence reports documenting the Okpe migration between 1900 and 1907, noting that Sapele had already been established as a British colonial administrative and commercial centre by 1891.

    He also referenced a 1940 judgment of a colonial magistrate court which discharged Abigborodo farmers accused of trespass within the Okpe-Sobo forest reserve, as well as protest letters written in the 1930s by the Olu of Warri and the Alema of Warri. Ukubeyinje said these petitions were investigated by the colonial administration and resolved in favour of Abigborodo.

    Ukubeyinje dismissed arguments that Abigborodo land does not extend into Sapele Local Government Area, explaining that administrative or political boundaries created for governance purposes do not extinguish ancestral land ownership, which predates the creation of local governments and even Nigeria as a sovereign nation.

    He also cited the 2021 Judicial Panel of Enquiry into the Okpe-Urhobo forest reserve, which recognised Ugbekoko, Obotie and Aja-Ojigwo as Itsekiri communities and affirmed Uton Iyatsere as an Itsekiri settlement.

    Read Also: Land dispute: Abigborodo community asks Sapele Okpe to provide proof of ownership

    Raising concerns over reports of a closed-door meeting allegedly involving the Delta State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Navante Exploration and Production Limited and representatives of the Sapele Okpe community, Ukubeyinje said such an action, if true, amounted to institutional bias. 

    He questioned the authority of any government official to direct the renaming of a long-established and gazetted oil field.

    He maintained that extensive research, independent investigations and stakeholder consultations were conducted before the naming of PPL 220, adding that no individual or agency has the legal power to alter its name.

    Ukubeyinje insisted that the PPL 220 oil field lies entirely within Abigborodo land, that those to be directly impacted by oil operations are Abigborodo people of Itsekiri extraction, and described the Sapele Okpe claim as trespass.

    He therefore called on the Minister of Environment, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, the Delta State Government and other relevant authorities to disregard the claims of the Sapele Okpe Community and uphold the position of the Alema of Warri Kingdom on the rightful ownership and naming of the PPL 220 oil field.

  • Land dispute: Abigborodo community asks Sapele Okpe to provide proof of ownership

    Land dispute: Abigborodo community asks Sapele Okpe to provide proof of ownership

    The long-standing land dispute between the Abigborodo and Sapele Okpe communities has taken a dramatic turn with the Abigborodo Community Management Committee challenging the Sapele Okpe leadership to provide concrete evidence of land ownership or desist from making baseless claims.

    In a strongly worded rebuttal to recent statements by Chief Onoriode Temiagin and other leaders of the Sapele Okpe Community, Abigborodo leaders described the allegations against them as “false, misleading and unfounded.”

    The dispute over the ownership of the Ugbekoko lands intensified after Chief Temiagin accused Abigborodo, under the leadership of Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, of document forgery, orchestrating violence and falsely claiming host community status in the operations of SEPLAT Energy Plc. 

    He further alleged that historical documents supporting Abigborodo’s claims were fabrications and that the Itsekiri community was attempting to encroach on Okpe ancestral land.  

    However, in a swift response, Abigborodo leaders rejected these assertions, insisting that their ownership of Ugbekoko is backed by verifiable legal and historical records dating back to the British colonial era. 

    They cited a 1919 lease agreement, petitions from Chief Okonedo to the colonial administration, and other official correspondences, all of which they claim are duly certified by the National Archives. “If Chief Temiagin insists our documents are forged, we challenge him to produce his own evidence of ownership,” the statement read.  

    Furthermore, Abigborodo leaders dismissed allegations that they were behind the recent shooting of a Sapele Okpe indigene, Mr. Patrick Gageche, calling it a desperate attempt to stoke tensions and derail the Delta State Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Committee’s investigation into the matter. 

    According to them, this ”was aimed at inciting public sentiment against Abigborodo and creating an atmosphere of hostility where none should exist.”

    The Abigborodo community also accused Sapele Okpe leaders of orchestrating attacks against its people. 

    They alleged that Okpe youths, acting under directives from Chief Temiagin, mounted illegal roadblocks along Ugberikoko Gana Road, profiling and assaulting travellers of Itsekiri origin.

    They identified Solomon Ayiri Omamogho, Louis Atunu and Stephen Abaje, who reportedly sustained injuries in these attacks and urged security agencies to act swiftly in ensuring justice.  

    Beyond these allegations, Abigborodo leaders reminded the public the ongoing dispute is being handled by the State Government through a special conflict resolution committee led by Chief Edwin Uzor. 

    They noted that they have consistently pursued legal channels, petitioning Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and engaging SEPLAT and relevant government agencies. 

    The community also pointed to a meeting on February 5, 2025 at the Delta State Directorate of State Security Services (DSS) headquarters in Asaba, where all parties, including representatives of Sapele Okpe, agreed to abide by the state government’s white paper on the matter. 

    Read Also: Abigborodo community denies claims in Seplat host community dispute

    Key resolutions included a commitment to peace and a pledge to allow the Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Committee to complete its investigation without undue interference.  

    However, despite these resolutions, Abigborodo leaders accused Chief Temiagin of violating the peace accord by continuing to make inflammatory statements online and in the media. 

    They warned that his actions could be subject to defamation and cyberbullying laws, stating, “Freedom of speech is not a license to spread falsehoods. Chief Temiagin must be prepared to prove his allegations in a court of law”  

    As tensions continue to simmer, Abigborodo leaders have urged their people to remain calm and law-abiding, emphasising their unwavering belief in the rule of law and due process. 

    They also called on security agencies to increase surveillance and protect innocent citizens from further attacks.

  • One injured as Sapele Okpe, Abigborodo communities clash over land

    One injured as Sapele Okpe, Abigborodo communities clash over land

    The long-standing land dispute between Sapele Okpe and Abigborodo communities in Delta State took a violent turn on Monday following the reported shooting of a Sapele Okpe indigene, Mr. Patrick Gageche.

    The incident, which occurred in the contested area between the two communities, has heightened tensions and prompted an emergency press briefing by Sapele Okpe leaders.

    Addressing journalists, representatives of the Sapele Okpe Community, including the Chairman, Chief Onoriode Temiagin, alongside Chief Godwin Omamurieme Atose and Dr. Austin Arieja, condemned the attack. 

    They described it as an act of aggression linked to the ongoing land ownership dispute. 

    According to them, Gageche, who was fishing at the time of the incident, was unjustly targeted, further deepening hostilities between both communities.

    At the centre of the conflict is a dispute over the ownership of Otonyasere and Ugbekoko lands. 

    Sapele Okpe leaders maintained that the land historically belongs to the Okpe Kingdom and have cited historical records, including colonial-era documents, to support their claim. They expressed concerns over recent attempts by Abigborodo to assert ownership, calling for a legal resolution to the matter.

    Read Also: NNPC Ltd/First E&P JV achieve 96% reduction in routine gas flaring

    Dismissing claims that a judicial panel of inquiry had awarded the land to Abigborodo, Sapele Okpe leaders argued that no credible evidence supported such assertions. They urged the public to rely on verifiable legal and historical records rather than conflicting narratives.

    Beyond the land dispute, Sapele Okpe representatives raised concerns over what they described as a pattern of intimidation against their people. 

    They claimed that since 2019, some members of their community had faced allegations and legal actions, which they viewed as attempts to suppress their stance in the dispute.

    Emphasising the need for a peaceful resolution, the community leaders called for legal means to determine ownership rather than resorting to confrontation.

     “Land ownership should be determined in court, not through intimidation or violence,” a spokesperson stated. They urged all parties involved to allow due process to take its course.

    Given the escalating situation, the Sapele Okpe Community appealed to federal and state authorities to intervene and ensure the safety of all residents. 

    They called on security agencies to investigate the attack on Mr. Gageche and take necessary measures to prevent further violence. Additionally, they urged the government to address security concerns in the area.

    Despite rising tensions, community leaders appealed for calm among their people, stressing that retaliation would only escalate the situation. “We must allow the law to take its course. Violence will only worsen the situation,” they cautioned, reaffirming their commitment to pursuing justice through legal and diplomatic channels.

  • Abigborodo, Obagboro communities protest ownership of Kuri field

    Abigborodo, Obagboro communities protest ownership of Kuri field

    Abigborodo and Obagboro communities in the Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, staged a peaceful protest on Friday, asserting their ownership of the Kuri field. 

    The demonstrators, consisting of women and youths, arrived at the Kuri field platform in boats, expressing outrage over the alleged attempt by Makaraba and Omadino communitied in Warri South Local Government Area with the support of influential individuals in the government, to claim ownership of the field.

    Speaking to reporters, Hon. Barr Misan Ukubehinje and Mr. Austin Ogbemi, chairmen of Abigborodo and Obagboro communities, voiced their concerns.

    They stated that their land was being forcefully taken away by imposters and other groups from the communities emphasising that they would not permit the company to operate until a roundtable discussion was held and government intervention. 

    They also criticised the alleged fraudulent behaviour of the oil and gas committee set up to oversee the ownership case alleging that their decisions were made based on politics and fear, without proper authority.

    “The decisions made by the committee are unacceptable, and we demand a thorough investigation. We have various means to protect our interests, even in the face of military intervention,” asserted Ukubehinje.

    Mr. Austin Ogbemi, Chairman of Obagboro Community, emphasised that the Kuri field falls within the jurisdiction of Warri North and belongs to Obagboro and Abigborodo communities. 

    He argued that Makaraba and Omadino communities, located in Warri North South, had no claim to the Kuri field. Ogbemi urged authorities to recognize their rightful ownership.

    The protesters called on the State and Federal Governments to intervene before the situation escalated into a crisis. They emphasized their commitment to pursuing their rights through lawful means.

    Responding on behalf of SHN Energy Limited after a brief meeting with some leaders of the protesters, Mr Augustine Okwazu said: “The community came for a peaceful protest, and we discussed. I will pass their demands to the management, which in turn will reach back to them” he said

    Abigborodo community had earlier addressed an open letter to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, highlighting the alleged illegal and oppressive actions of two officials in the State and SHN Energy Limited expressing concerns that these actions could lead to a crisis in Delta State and called for immediate intervention.

    According to the community, Abigborodo is an oil-producing community with proprietary and customary rights over the land hosting PPL 222 (Kuri Field). 

    They claimed that the award of the Kuri Field to Shepard Hill Petroleum Development Limited and Nord Oil APS & Energy Limited affirmed their ownership. 

    The community further alleged that SHN Energy Limited, in collaboration with a Commissioner attempted to stifle their claims and continue exploiting the crude oil reserves on their land without proper recognition.

    Read Also: Court restores Abigborodo, Hely Creek fields to Transnational Energy

    Abigborodo Community accused SHN Energy Limited of causing environmental degradation to their fishing camps and farms through their operations on the Kuri field. 

    They also claimed that the company failed to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment, violating Nigerian laws.

    The community appealed to Governor Oborevwori to intervene and ensure that Abigborodo Community is recognised as the rightful host community in accordance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

     They requested the establishment of a committee comprising individuals with integrity to review the matter and make recommendations that would promote peace and harmony among the affected communities.