Operations at a major oil facility in Ogidigben, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, were brought to a halt on Wednesday after members of the Itsekiri ethnic group staged a protest at the site. The facility, which reportedly produces 28,000 barrels of crude oil per day, was completely shut down by the demonstrators.
A video shared by TVC News showed a large crowd of Itsekiri community members gathered at the entrance of the facility, blocking access and demanding attention to their grievances. Protesters could be seen holding placards and chanting as they staged the demonstration, effectively stopping all operations at the oil installation.
The specific demands of the protesters have not yet been officially detailed, but sources within the community suggest the shutdown is linked to longstanding issues surrounding marginalization, lack of development, and exclusion from the benefits of oil exploration in their area. Community leaders have previously accused oil companies and government agencies of failing to fulfill their promises of infrastructure development, employment opportunities, and fair compensation for land use.
Ogidigben, which lies in the heart of the Niger Delta, is a historically significant oil-producing community. Like many parts of the region, it has been at the center of resource control disputes and environmental degradation concerns. Residents argue that despite the wealth generated from crude oil in their land, they continue to suffer from poverty, unemployment, and neglect by both the federal government and multinational oil companies operating in the region.
The protest appears to have been well-organized and peaceful, but its impact on oil production could be significant, especially given Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to stabilize oil output amid fluctuating global energy prices. The temporary shutdown of the facility is expected to affect daily crude output figures, although no official estimate of losses has been released.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), which oversees national oil production in collaboration with international partners, has not yet issued a statement on the incident. Similarly, there has been no response from the company operating the Ogidigben facility, nor from the Delta State government.
Security agencies have also not commented on the protest or whether any intervention is planned to restore operations at the site. However, the presence of hundreds of protesters at a critical oil infrastructure raises concerns over the potential for escalation if the issues are not addressed promptly.
Oil production disruptions are not new to the Niger Delta region, which has a history of unrest linked to demands for environmental justice, resource control, and equitable development. In the past, similar shutdowns and protests have led to negotiations between community leaders, oil companies, and government officials.
As of now, the protest continues and the facility remains non-operational. Stakeholders, including federal and state authorities, are expected to engage with the Itsekiri community in the coming days to resolve the standoff.
Further developments are anticipated as more information becomes available regarding the specific grievances of the protesters and the response from the relevant authorities.
