The leadership of the Izansa/Ijelejele/Ikeremor Community in Warri South West Delta State has strongly condemned what it described as a brazen attempt by certain individuals to forcibly disrupt the operations of Kalm Marine and Petroleum Services Limited, located on their communal land.
In a formal letter addressed to the Managing Director of Kalm Marine and Petroleum Services, the community accused one Alex Ebi Fenimine and Pastor Benjamin K. Lude, along with over 100 persons, of storming the company’s operational site in a militant-like fashion. The invaders reportedly arrived in five speedboats, each equipped with 200HP engines, in a bid to shut down operations. However, their efforts were thwarted by the timely intervention of military personnel stationed at the site.
The community leadership expressed shock over the incident and pledged that it would not be swept under the carpet. They clarified that the land in question, Ogbanabou, is an integral part of Izanzabou—ancestral land that has been under their control for generations.
The letter was signed by Hon. Johnbull Aniyanghan (Chairman), Mr. Moses Izoukumor (Secretary), Chief Michael Akoubodo (Leader), Mr. Stephen Senne (Vice Chairman), and Chief Richard Inaikpo Evene (Elder).
Read the full letter below:
ATTEMPT TO FORCEFULLY SHUTDOWN OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF KALM MARINE AND PETROLEUM SERVICES LIMITED IN IZANSA/ IJELEJELE/IKEREMOR COMMUNAL LAND BY ALEX EBI FENIMINE, PST. BENJAMIN K. LUDE AND OTHERS.
1. The attention of the Leadership and people of Izansa/Ijelejele/Ikeremor Community has been drawn to the criminal activities of Alex Ebi Fenimine, Pst. Benjamin K. Lude and others when they, in a war like manner, came to the Operational Site of your Company with five (5) speed boats fitted with 200 HP engines each and loaded with over 100 (One Hundred) persons and forcefully attempted to shut down the operations of your Company, but for the presence of soldiers in the operational site. We received this information with deep shock and resolved that the issue will not be swept under the carpet, with a view to avoiding a reoccurrence.
2. Upon enquiry, it was revealed that several letters have been written to your Company on a false claim of ownership by Alex Ebi Fenimine and Pst. Benjamin K. Lude in the name of a non-existing “Ogbanabou Federated Communities-Diebri Clan”, over our Communal Land which our Community gave your Company permission and freedom to operate after entering into documentations. Therefore the Leadership of the Community is surprised that the attention of the Community was not drawn to the said letters until the recent press release dated the 26th day of June, 2025 and the unprovoked attack on your Company.
3. We state categorically that the Land on which your Company is carrying out its operations belongs exclusively to the Izansa/Ijelejele/Ikeremor Community. We state without any fear of contradiction and equivocation that
there is no Community known as “Ogbanabou Federated Communities-Diebri Clan” anywhere in Delta State or elsewhere and that the claim of ownership by Alex Ebi Fenimine and Pst. Benjamin K. Lude over our Communal Land in the name of a non-existing entity is inimical to peace and should be checked by Law Enforcement Agencies.
4. Let it be known that Ogbanabou Land where your Company operates is within Izanzabou which is part of the large expanse of Land founded by our ancestor, Apribodo at a time beyond human memory and there was no other human being in that area at the time, according to history. It is therefore unthinkable that they will lay claim to ownership of Ogbanabou Land. Their ulterior motive is basically to benefit from the operation of your Company and further to cause a breakdown of Law and Order in our peaceful Community.
5. As Landlords and Host Community to your operational facilities, we state again that there is no Community known as “Ogbanabou Federated Communities-Diebri Clan” and that the Land on which your Company operates is exclusively that of the Izansa/Ijelejele/Ikeremor Community and not an inch of the Land belongs to the non-existing Ogbanabou Federated Communities-Diebri Clan or any other person or Community. We therefore request as follows:
a. That any further attempt to forcefully stop your Company from operations by Alex Ebi Fenimine and Pst. Benjamin K. Lude, their agents and privies or and any other person should be resisted in a proportionate manner.
b. That any other attempt to forcefully stop your Company from operations by Alex Ebi Fenimine and Pst. Benjamin K. Lude, their agents and privies or and any other person should be reported to Law Enforcement Agencies for purpose of investigation and if found wanting should be made to face the wrath of the Law.
c. That any other attempt to forcefully stop your Company operations by Alex Ebi Fenimine and Pst. Benjamin K. Lude or any other person either physically or through letters should be made known to Izansa/ Ijelejele/Ikeremor Community.
d. That your Company should not and should never have any dealing with Alex Ebi Fenimine and Pst. Benjamin K. Lude and/or the non-existing “Ogbanabou Federated Communities-Diebri Clan” or any other person in whatever name in respect of your Company’s operation in our Land.
e. That all matters and issues in relation to your Company’s operation in our Communal Land should be discussed and had with the Community through the Constituted Executive Council and Leaders.
6. We use this medium to warn Alex Ebi Fenimine and Pst. Benjamin K. Lude that are parading in the name of the non-existing entity; Ogbanabou Federated Communities-Diebri Clan to desist henceforth from writing warning letters to and/or attempting to physically shut down the operations of Kalm Marine and Petroleum Services Limited. Note that the Law does not respect its breakers.
7. We thank the Management of your Company for informing us about this recent development and the Leadership and people of your Host Community identifies with your Company at this time as always.
