An oil facility producing 28,000 barrels per day in Ugborodo, Warri South-West Local Government Area, was shut down on Wednesday by aggrieved Itsekiri protesters over alleged marginalisation in ward delineation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The demonstrators, comprising men, women, and youths, accused INEC of championing an ethnic agenda aimed at sidelining the Itsekiri people. They also voiced strong opposition to any perceived misuse of the Federal Government’s pipeline surveillance contract awarded to High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.
“We will not allow Tompolo to use his surveillance contract to suppress or threaten our community,” one of the protesters warned.
In a swift response, Tompolo, through the Head of Press for Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, distanced himself and his security outfit from the protest and its underlying issues. He clarified that the oil facility targeted by the protest falls outside Tantita’s operational zone.
“This matter has nothing to do with Tantita. The Ogidigben oil field is not under our watch but under Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), a firm linked to the Olu of Itsekiri,” Bebenimibo said.
The facility, now owned by Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings after its acquisition from Shell, witnessed a complete halt in operations during the peaceful protest, which featured placard-carrying Itsekiri locals expressing their discontent with what they termed systematic exclusion.
