A new militant group under the umbrella of Bayan-Men have attacked an oil facility of the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) located in Ogba-Egbema-Andoni local government area of Rivers State
The group said in a statement in Port Harcourt on Sunday that Bayan-Men’s action on oil well, OB5, (Obiavu-5) operated by Agip on Tuesday, November 16, was occasioned by the failure of the oil firm to deal directly with their host communities.
It further stated that the companied had refused to allow the people to benefit from its operations in the area adding that the firm was neck-deep in divide and rule.
The group demanded that the oil firm deal directly with the 27 communities of Omoku and threatened to embark on further aggression against the oil firm should it fail to honour its (group’s) demands.
“The only thing we want Agip to do is to deal directly with the 27 communities of Omoku, according to the Federal Government resolution.
“We don’t want Agip to be negotiating with anybody. They should deal with the communities. If they continue like this, what we have done now is small to what we will do if they continue.
“They should not keep us together and treat us like one. They should treat communities individually.
“We are not joking. We are not interested in killing anybody. Our interest is that they must do the right thing else we will keep blowing up their facilities. We are giving them 24 hours to start the process of doing the right thing,” the group said.
Reacting, the coordinator general of Omoku Community Youth Leaders Forum, (OCYLF), Mr. Ekeuku Pureheart, who confirmed the development called on the federal government and its relevant agencies to intervene swiftly before the situation degenerates into uncontrollable circumstances.
“The federal government intervened a long time ago. Now some uncontrollable boys and some militia groups have blown up Agip oil well, OB5. Obiavu-5 is the name of the oil well.
“The boys are still threatening that if Agip does not engage directly with the communities of Omoku and give them what is due them that they will do more.
“We are calling on the Federal Government and other relevant agencies to intervene before things get out of hand. This may cause a drop in production. The government does not need any situation that will result in to further drop in production to occur.
“The group is saying enough is enough. Agip is working with few individuals in Omoku to oppress the people and the boys are saying they will no longer take that.
“The group is saying that Agip should deal with individual communities that is what the law provides. Omoku is a cluster of communities. And the law says when you reach any land treat them differently and give them what is due them.
“They should adhere to FG resolution of February 27th, 2021, and that agreement must be implemented in line with the Petroleum Industry Act. We are urging the FG to stop up to ensure that the agreement is implemented in full.”
