By David Owei, Yenagoa.

There are strong indications that a gang of  sea pirates struck at the oil pipelines located  in Okuama Community of Delta State and killed some people while others were wounded about 7.45pm on Saturday 15th March, 2025.

Labrador security outfit workers who were going for a crew change and food supplies to crew members on duty post were attacked by One Godbless Canus Ogun and his gang of sea pirate.

It is alleged that the gang of sea pirates are loyalist of one Amagbien, wanted militant accused of being part of the killing of military men in Okuama Community of Delta State.

Confirming the incident, the Community Development Committees (CDC) chairman of the community of Igbomotoru Community, Goodnews Manash, said the militant group causing havoc along the Binikurukuru creek.

According to him, one Mr Ekerete Odoh, an indigene of Igbomotoru 1 community was shut death instantly at spot spot of incidence while the speedboat driver, Likson Godspower who hails from Ekowe community of Southern LGA sustained gunshot that cut one of his hand.

Manash further explained that the assailants went away with the 200 horsepower engine and boat belonging to Kojo Sam Logistics/ Labrador Security outfit whose houseboat is situated by the pipeline of Lasukugbene/Baberegbene community of Igbomotoru West Bomo kingdom.

As at the time of filling this report, all efforts made to get confirmation from the Bayelsa state police command PPRO CSP Musa Mohammed proved abortive as he was yet to reply a Whasap message sent to him.

By David Owei, Bayelsa

There is rising tension in Onuebum community of Ogbia Local Government area of Bayelsa State over the alleged violation of a Court ordered issued by a Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa stopping the Sterling Exploration and Energy Production Company Nigeria Limited,.(SEEPCO) from oil exploration activities from the OPL 2005 located at Owaliba land.

According to Elders and Youths of the Onuebum community, SEEPCO reportedly defied the court order and have resumed civil works, including extensive sand filling, at an oilfield site in Bayelsa State’s Onuebum community.

This action, according to Onuebum Indigenes, is a clear violation of the February 19, 2025, interlocutory injunction handed down by Justice N.Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, in a suit numbered FHC/YNG/CS/277/2024 and by HRH Kine Kolobota Osain and Diomaziba Daniel Odumafor (for themselves and on behalf of the people of Onuebim Community) against the Sterling Exploration and Energy Production Company Nigeria Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Bayelsa State Government and the Attorney-General of Bayelsa State.

The Court in its ruling gave an order of interlocutory injunction restraining SEEPCO from carrying out any oil exploration or any activity related to exploration or any activity of oil at OPL 2005 situated in Owaliba land in Onuebum community pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit.

The plaintiff in their prayers before the court had sought for six relief bothering on the alleged failure of SEEPCO to prepare NEEDS assessment in consultation with host community, which is the Onuebim community as recognised under the Petroleum Industry Act, before proceeding with it’s oil and gas exploration.

” And that the defendants by the Environmental Impact Assessment Act and the Petroleum Industry Act are obligated to carry out an environmental Impact assessment with respect to the oil and gas exploration activities to be carried out on OPL 2005 and possible resultant effects on the inhabitants of Onuebum community”

“That the first defendant (SEEPCO) act of proceeding to embark on oil and gas exploration activities without first preparing it’s host communities needs assesment as well as environmental Impact assessment is a flagrant breach of the relevant provisions of statute.”

“That the 3rd and 4th defendants, Bayelsa Govt and Attorney-General respectively, have also given the 1st defendant (SEEPCO), conditions to access and carry out it’s oil and gas exploration activities on OPL 2005 in Owaliba land in Onuebum community but same conditional resumption of work has been disregarded.”

“That the Court has a duty to put a stop to the 1st defendant’s brazen acts of flagrant disobedience to relevant provisions of statute despite the fact that it’s attention has been called to same.”

An Indigene of the Onuebum community, Comrade Azibola, who confirmed the development, said “Despite this order, SEEPCO has resumed work at the Owaliba bush site. Community sources confirm ongoing civil works, specifically extensive sand filling—a precursor to potential oil extraction.”

“This action, while not drilling, represents a potential contempt of court, as the injunction broadly prohibits any project-related activity, and it could trigger penalties for SEEPCO and its officials.”

“This shows they don’t care about us, or the law,” said Azibaola, an Onuebum resident. Community outrage is growing.

“The 2021 PIA aimed to reform Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, tackling long-standing issues of transparency, community disenfranchisement, and environmental damage in the Niger Delta.”

“The law strives to ensure direct community benefits from oil extraction and minimize environmental harm. This case tests the PIA’s effectiveness, and SEEPCO’s actions question the enforceability of court orders in the region”.

This correspondent however gathered that SEEPCO, the NUPRC, and the Bayelsa State Government have not yet commented publicly on the court order or the resumed work.

Attempts to obtain comment, including inquiries from SEEPCO workers on the site of the project however declined comment.

The Onuebum Communications Team, however said the outcome of this case could significantly impact Nigeria’s oil industry, setting a precedent for PIA enforcement and resolving disputes between oil companies and host communities.

” It highlights the persistent challenges of balancing economic development with environmental protection and community rights in the Niger Delta.”

HOSTCON Youth Council hails Senator Ned Nwoko on his new  appointment

By David Owei, Bayelsa

Youths of the Host Communities Producing Oil, Gas and Pipeline Impacted States Youth Council Of Nigeria (HOSTCON) have described as ” commendable” the appointment of the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District of Delta State, Sen. Ned Nwoko as the Chairman, Senate Ad- Hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft.

According to HOSTCON, the appointment of Sen. Ned Nwoko by the 10th Senate under the leadership of Sen God’swill Akpabio as a game-changer for the entire oil and gas value chain in the nation’s oil industry.

The Host Communities Producing Oil Gas and Pipeline Impacted States Youth Council Of Nigeria under the leadership of the National President, Comrade Emmanuel Fiawei Path finder, stated in a statement issued via electronic mail, that the Senator Ned Nwoko-led Committee will salvage the nation’s oil and gas sector and the economic woes of the country.

According to HOSTCON, ” it would never be business as usual for the saboteurs, both locally and internationally because he has already hit the ground running, and Nigerians would see what has never happened in the fight against oil and gas thieves no matter who they are.”

“As a round peg in a round hole, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Crude Oil Theft and Other Related Matters, his underground strategies would take these thieves by storm and surprise, and this would usher in lasting solutions in curbing the menace of crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and illegal bunkering activities in the creeks of Niger Delta region and the hinterlands.”

“The Senator Ned Nwoko we know, is a man of courage and master strategist, who has all it takes to rid the oil and gas sector of this ugly menace of sabotage by some devilish persons who have over the years stolen our common patrimony for their self aggrandizement.”

“We must say that Senator Ned Nwoko, a son of the Niger Delta understands the region so deeply and has broad knowledge about the nefarious activities of these plunders of our national wealth, and knows how to marshal out his strategies to change the ugly narrative in the oil and gas sector.”

” His appointment is highly welcomed by all and sundry and due to his pedigree and sagacity as a patriotic, detribalized, and true Nigerian leader who has distinguished himself in serving the nation with national conscience.”

“We also want to assure Nigerians that Senator Ned Nwoko’s 100 days in this saddle will end oil theft and would be resounding and reverberating because we have seen the handwriting already, and that it would bring about a stupendous growth and development of the oil and gas sector in no distant time as he had already commenced the job by leading a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, seeking a partnership with the military to curb the menace, and also has set up and inaugurated a surveillance team for overt and covert oversight on oil facilities and institutions.”

“Interestingly, the committee has called for strengthening of intelligence-sharing mechanisms, surveillance operations and fostering of seamless inter-agency collaboration to dismantle the complex networks behind crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region and across the international borders.”

“Recently, he affirmed the The committee’s unwavering commitment and sense of patriotism in its resolve to implement watertight policies, deploy cutting-edge security technology, and ensure that those who undermine the national wealth are held accountable.”

“He also said that the task at hand transcends revenue protection; it is about securing the future, bolstering economic resilience, and creating an environment conducive for national progress.”

“0We want Nigerians to be confident about Senator Ned Nwoko because his track record based on his background as an international criminal lawyer. He has the expertise to ensure these thieves are brought to justice, and also his solid performance on the floor of the Senate and impact on his senatorial district is amazing as he has moved numerous life changing motions and bills been sponsored by distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko on the floor of the Red Chambers within the one and half years under the President Bola Tinubu ‘Renewed Hope’ mantra has drastically transformed the lives of his people.”

“Therefore at this juncture, the leadership of the HOSTCON YOUTH COUNCIL OF NIGERIA, under comrade Emmanuel Fiawei Pathfinder, National Exco, elders and Board of Trustees, throw our full weight behind Sen Ned Nwoko-led Ad hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft and Other Related Matters.”

“We at HOSTCON, being the most critical umbrella body that is the ears, eyes, strength, energy and heart beat of the nation’s oil and gas producing communities in the creeks as well the strength and the life-wire of the nation’s economy will partner with the 10th Senate under the leadership of Distinguished Senator Godswill Akp, through the Chairman of the Senate Add-Hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft, Sen Ned Nwoko, the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in Delta State to join hands together for us to foster a collective responsibility to salvage the economy of our dear country by all means from the hands of this sophisticated oil thieves in collaboration with their foreign counterparts in this illicit business bent to cripple out economy.”