A group of former Niger Delta militants have
issued a 14-day ultimatum to oil companies
operating in Ekpeyeland to leave the area or
face massive vandalisation of their assets.
issued a 14-day ultimatum to oil companies
operating in Ekpeyeland to leave the area or
face massive vandalisation of their assets.
The ex-agitators known as Ekpeye Liberation
Group, who claimed to be behind the attack on
Well 5 in Akara Olu, Ahoada West Local
Government Area of Rivers State, explained that
the eviction notice was due to the oil
companies’ refusal to sign a Memorandum of
Understanding with Ekpeye communities.
They expressed dissatisfaction over the alleged
nonchalant attitude by the oil firms to the
killings and kidnapping in the Ekpeyeland.
A statement on Thursday signed by the
spokesman of the group, Obodo Obodo,
identified the oil firms as Nigerian Agip Oil
Company, Shell Petroleum Development
Company, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas and
Niger Delta Petroleum Resources.
It added that though Total Exploration and
Production Nigeria Limited had signed one
MoU with the communities, the agreement had
been violated with impunity.
“The Ekpeye Liberation Group, a forum of ex-
militants and freedom agitators from the
Ekpeye Ethnic Nationality in Rivers State (Part
of the Niger Delta), is utterly disappointed with
the conduct of the oil multinational companies
operating in the area.
“In the light of their nonchalant, including
lukewarm attitude to the massive killings and
kidnappings of our people in recent times, the
Ekpeye Liberation Group has been forced to
issue a notice of eviction to all oil companies
operating in Ekpeye territory and its waters.
“They (oil companies) are required to pack out
of Ekpeyeland within 14 days, from Thursday
16th of June or face massive vandalisation of
their assets. A stitch in time saves nine,” the
group said.
Explaining that their attack on oil facilities will
further affect the nation’s already limping
economy, the ex-fighters warned the Minister
of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, to
give the people of Ekpeye their due
recognition.
