Host communities in Warri North Local Government Area have strongly condemned the recent pipeline attacks on the Olero-Dibi-Abiteye Fields and Flow Stations, distancing themselves from the unknown group behind the sabotage. The attacks, claimed by the so-called Niger Liberation Movement (NDLM), caused severe damage to key petroleum infrastructure, including pipelines with diameters of 6, 8, and 10 inches.
Leading the condemnation, Hon. Aduge Okorodudu, former Chairman of Warri North Local Government Area, denounced the attackers as criminals with no ties to the host communities. In a statement on Friday, November 22, Okorodudu condemned the reckless act as harmful to the environment, local economy, and the livelihoods of residents. He stressed that the attacks jeopardize the long-standing peaceful relationship between the host communities and Chevron, operators of the affected facilities, who have consistently engaged in open dialogue.
“These attacks are a deliberate attempt to disrupt the peace and collaboration we’ve worked hard to build with Chevron,” Hon. Okorodudu stated, urging security forces to intensify efforts to apprehend the culprits. He also noted that the use of an unrecognized group like NDLM reveals the perpetrators’ intent to manipulate narratives and create division.
Other community leaders also joined in the condemnation. Hon. Dr. Jeffery Wilkie, former Secretary of the Oloro Field, described the attacks as reckless and destructive, calling on stakeholders to safeguard vital infrastructure. Barrister Richard Omare, the outgoing Secretary of the Itsekiri Regional Development Committee (IRDC), demanded swift legal action.
Comrade David Odeli, Chairman of Tisun Community, called the sabotage barbaric and a betrayal of the region’s future.
The leaders commended Chevron for its ongoing dialogue with the community and its efforts to resolve issues amicably. They reiterated the host communities’ commitment to peaceful coexistence and collaboration.
In a unified statement, the host communities denounced the attackers, reaffirming their opposition to such destructive actions and calling for the swift identification and prosecution of the criminals.
