The Eruemukohwarien community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State has renewed its call for dialogue and justice following the disruption of a peaceful protest at the Ughelli pumping station of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 34.
Briefing newsmen on Tuesday after a scheduled peace meeting failed to hold, the President-General of the community, Comrade Godwin Anigboro, alongside his executives, condemned the alleged police brutality against residents and demanded the release of motorcycles, tricycles, and a truck seized during the incident.
The aborted meeting, convened by the Ughelli North Local Government Chairman, Jaro Egbo, was to bring together stakeholders, including security agencies and representatives of OML 34, to address the August 18 protest that ended in chaos.
However, the oil company failed to attend, citing “operational reasons,” and the session was adjourned to September 4.
Anigboro recounted how the peaceful demonstration by OML 34 workers, supported by women in the community, turned violent after security operatives allegedly fired tear gas and brutalized them, leaving several people injured.
“Our women were only standing with their husbands and children when the police began shooting tear gas. Some people ran into the bush, and others sustained fractures.
“At least seven to eight persons received treatment at the general hospital. To date, the motorcycles, tricycles, and even a truck taken away by the police remain in custody. We are demanding their release,” he said.
The community leader, flanked by his executives, expressed disappointment at OML 34’s silence, stressing that despite hosting oil facilities since 1958, Eruemukohwarien had suffered neglect.
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“This is not just a pipeline community but a facility community. Yet apart from the company’s access road, all other roads are deplorable.
“Our schools are in ruins, our people lack basic welfare, and now we are being brutalized for demanding justice. OML 34 has not even acknowledged the incident, let alone visited us,” Anigboro said.
He further called on the state and federal governments, as well as relevant agencies, to intervene urgently to address what he described as the long-standing injustice.
“We are a peace-loving people. Since oil was discovered here in 1958, we have never vandalized government property.
“But in our hour of pain, the company turned a deaf ear. We demand recognition, respect, development, and the release of our seized items. To whom much is given, much is expected,” he declared.
Anigboro assured community members that leadership would continue to engage relevant authorities, urging them to remain calm while trusting the local government chairman to facilitate dialogue.
