Orogho Community Urges Edo Government to Intervene in Alleged Diversion of Oil Benefits

The Orogho Community in Ugu Ward, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, has called on the state government, relevant regulatory authorities and stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to intervene in its dispute with Seplat Energy Plc over the alleged transfer of oil wells  associated benefits to neighbouring communities in Delta State.

The community, through its Secretary-General, Mr. Ikponmwosa Osayomore, accused Seplat Energy of persistently ceding oil wells benefits located within Orogho Community to Boborokun and Okunu communities in Delta State, a development it said had deprived Edo State and its people of benefits accruing from their natural resources.

In an appeal addressed to the Edo State Government, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the oil and gas industry and other relevant stakeholders, the community called for urgent intervention to address what it described as years of injustice, marginalisation and economic deprivation.

Osayomore said the dispute had persisted since 2013, when Seplat Energy took over the facilities previously operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

According to him, the community has repeatedly petitioned relevant authorities over the alleged transfer of its oil wells benefits and the company's refusal to recognise documents containing the coordinates of the disputed facilities.

He said the community had made several efforts to resolve the matter through established institutional channels but had yet to obtain a satisfactory response.

Among the steps taken, Osayomore disclosed that the community wrote to the Chairman of the Edo State Boundary Commission on September 25, 2025, complaining about Seplat Energy's alleged refusal to recognise certified true copies of documents containing the coordinates of oil wells said to be located within Orogho.

He added that a petition was subsequently submitted to the Commissioner of Police, Edo State, on December 1, 2025, over what the community described as acts of injustice and marginalisation by the company.

The community also petitioned the Commission Chief Executive of the NUPRC, requesting intervention and what it termed justice and emancipation for Orogho people.

Osayomore further disclosed that, on January 26, 2026, the community formally appealed to Seplat Energy Plc to end what it described as prolonged and systematic exploitation.

Following the alleged absence of a satisfactory response, the community said it approached the Edo State Commissioner for Oil and Gas Resources, raising concerns over the continued transfer of oil-related entitlements associated with Orogho and Edo State to communities in Delta State.

The community also said it wrote to Governor Monday Okpebholo on June 8, 2026, seeking urgent intervention over the alleged denial of oil benefits accruing to Orogho.

On June 11, 2026, it reportedly wrote to the Managing Director of Seplat Energy concerning compensation for the permanent loss of use of land. A separate petition was also submitted to the NUPRC over the company's alleged failure to pay the compensation.

The dispute was subsequently brought before the Edo State House of Assembly, with the community expressing concern that the state's entitlement to the 13 per cent oil derivation revenue associated with the disputed resources could be jeopardised.

Osayomore said the situation had also raised security concerns, alleging that residents had faced threats from people believed to be from the neighbouring Delta communities.

He disclosed that the community consequently petitioned the Divisional Police Officer of the Iguelaba Division and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, seeking urgent intervention to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

The community further alleged that some personnel of the Nigerian Army had taken sides in the dispute by supporting the Delta communities and using weapons and charms to intimidate residents.

These allegations could not be independently verified from the information provided.

The Orogho leadership expressed particular concern over Seplat Energy's reported plan to commence drilling activities at Oil Well 5 within the community, warning that the development could intensify the dispute if the question of ownership and entitlement remained unresolved.

According to Osayomore, the proposed drilling would bring to seven the number of oil wells the community alleges have been ceded to communities in Delta State.

He stressed that Orogho was not opposed to legitimate oil exploration and production activities but insisted that the rights of the community and the interests of Edo State must be protected.

The community urged the Edo State Government to intervene before the commencement of further drilling activities, calling on Seplat Energy to address its concerns and ensure that any benefits arising from the disputed oil wells were allocated in accordance with the applicable laws and established boundaries.

Osayomore warned that the community would resist any attempt to proceed with the proposed drilling without addressing what it considers its legitimate claims.

He cautioned that any crisis arising from the dispute could have serious consequences and urged the company and relevant authorities to take immediate steps to prevent an escalation.

The community secretary-general maintained that documents containing the coordinates of the disputed oil wells were available through the Edo State Geographic Information System, which he said could help establish the location of the facilities.

He therefore questioned the basis upon which Seplat Energy allegedly continued to allocate the disputed oil wells and their associated benefits to Boborokun and Okunu communities in Delta State.

Osayomore also challenged the company's reported position that the matter was sub judice, meaning it was pending before a court of law.

He argued that if the dispute was indeed before a competent court, the parties should respect the judicial process and avoid actions that could prejudge the outcome.

The Orogho Community called on Governor Okpebholo, the Edo State House of Assembly, the NUPRC, the police and other relevant authorities to urgently investigate the allegations, establish the facts surrounding the disputed oil wells and ensure that the rights of all parties were determined in accordance with the law.

It maintained that a transparent and lawful resolution of the dispute was necessary not only to protect the interests of Orogho and Edo State but also to preserve peaceful relations between neighbouring communities and prevent avoidable conflict in the oil-producing region.

All efforts made to get the response from Seplat on the phone were  unsuccessful as calls put out across to the Public Relations Officer, Mr Sunday Okologo were unsuccessful.