Abigborodo community in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State has strongly refuted allegations made by the Sapele Okpe community regarding land ownership disputes and accusations of bias against Delta State’s Special Adviser on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor.
The dispute centres on Seplat Energy’s operations and the recognition of host communities under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
In a statement issued by Abigborodo leaders on Monday, they described the Sapele Okpe community’s allegations as baseless and a deliberate attempt to distort facts. “From time immemorial, Abigborodo has been the rightful owner of the land covering the areas where Seplat operates, including Ugbekoko, which houses Seplat’s jetty and oil wells,” said Hon. Misan Ukubeyinje, Chairman of the Abigborodo Management Committee.
The community expressed frustration over Seplat Energy’s refusal to recognize them as a host community despite multiple appeals. “We have written countless letters to Seplat, highlighting our legitimate claim, but they continue to sideline us and label us as an ‘impacted community,’ which we outrightly reject,” Ukubeyinje added.
According to the community, Seplat’s ongoing operations, including preparations for new drilling sites near Abigborodo, amount to trespassing. “We have consistently urged them to stop illegal activities on our land until this issue is resolved, but they refuse to comply,” said Victor Atseponu, Secretary of the Abigborodo Management Committee.
Abigborodo community dismissed claims of bias by Chief Edwin Uzor, stating that the January 16, 2025, site visit by the Peace Building Committee was conducted transparently. “The committee’s visit was public and included representatives from the Department of State Security (DSS), police, and local government officials. The Sapele Okpe community’s claim of exclusion is unfounded,” said Engr. Great Kpenosen, President of the Abigborodo Youth Association.
They also accused the Sapele Okpe community of fabricating narratives to undermine the investigation. “Their insistence on Chief Uzor’s removal is a ploy to delay justice. The process has been fair, and the facts speak for themselves,” Kpenosen added.
The community condemned attempts to implicate Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, the Alema of Warri, in the dispute. “Dragging our revered leader’s name into this matter is defamatory and disrespectful. Chief Uduaghan was not involved in the investigation, yet the Sapele Okpe community continues to spread baseless allegations,” said Ukubeyinje.
Abigborodo community clarified that the ongoing dispute has no connection to the Okpe Sobo forest reserve, which the Sapele Okpe community referenced. “The forest reserve issue was resolved and gazetted in 2021. The current matter concerns Seplat’s operations in riverine areas, which are clearly within our land,” Atseponu explained.
They further criticized Ugbukurusu’s claim to the disputed land, noting that the community is over 15 kilometres from the areas in contention.
Abigborodo leaders detailed the peaceful protests staged in November 2024 to draw attention to their plight after Seplat ignored directives to halt operations. “We had no choice but to exercise our constitutional right to protest. Our demands are simple: recognize Abigborodo as a host community and stop the illegal activities on our land,” Ukubeyinje said.
The protests, which lasted four days, led to a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Nigerian Army’s 90 Amphibious Battalion. “The resolution was to suspend protests for two weeks to allow discussions, yet Seplat chose to escalate the issue by petitioning the Governor against us,” Kpenosen noted.
Abigborodo community accused the Sapele Okpe community of attempting to mislead the public for personal gain. “Their press statements are driven by greed and falsehood. The evidence is clear, and we are confident that any future investigations will uphold the truth,” said Ukubeyinje.
They also emphasized the impartiality of the ongoing investigation. “The Peace Building Committee has been thorough and unbiased. Claims of favouritism are merely distractions,” Atseponu said.
Abigborodo community urged Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to disregard the Sapele Okpe community’s calls for Chief Uzor’s removal. “We implore the Governor to allow the investigation to proceed without interference. The truth will prevail, and justice must not be delayed,” Ukubeyinje stated.
As tensions persisted, the Abigborodo community expressed readiness for further engagements to defend their claims. “We are prepared to welcome any additional investigations. The facts remain unchanged, and we will continue to assert our rights as the rightful host community to Seplat,” Kpenosen declared.
The dispute underscores the challenges of implementing the Petroleum Industry Act and recognizing host communities. For the Abigborodo community, the fight is about justice and preserving their ancestral land, while for the Sapele Okpe community, it’s about inclusion and fairness.
Delta State government has yet to issue an official statement, but all eyes are on Governor Oborevwori to mediate and resolve the escalating tensions.
