Scare As Protesters Storm SPDC Facility With ‘Juju’ Man, Allege Intimidation By Soldiers

There was a scare on Sunday at Ogidigben flow station belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company, (SPDC), as protesting indigenes of Ugborodo, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, stormed the facility with a man that appears like a ‘juju’ man to drive home their grievances.

BIGPENNGR reports that indigenes of the community had since Friday laid siege to the facility in protest of alleged years of neglect by SPDC.

Ugborodo, an oil rich but strife torn community played host to several oil exploration facilities belonging to both Shell and Chevron Nigeria Limited.

It was gathered that to avoid further intimidation from soldiers drafted to the scene, the protesters were said to have on Sunday brought in a ‘juju’ man who chanted some incantations while the protesters drummed and sang Itsekiri war song all through the protest.

Addressing newsmen in Warri, one of the protesters and Public Relation Officer of the community, David Mamah, claimed the management of SPDC, have totally neglected Ugborodo, its host community for several years.

He alleged that Shell have been deliberately promoting environmental pollution in their land, by allowing crude oil theft to thrive unhindered.

Accusing the oil company of insensitivity, Mamah alleged that the community have over the years been deprived of basic amenities such as internal roads and bridges, electricity and potable water, despite providing the company the enabling environment to do business.

He said; ‘To add insult to injury, our indigenes are denied job opportunities, which they are very qualified for and companies owned by Ugborodo indigenes, with proven competence and expertise, are not given contracts meant for locals, in-line with the Local Content Act’.

The protesters accused SPDC of allegedly using soldiers deployed to suppress, intimidate and threat them if they do not immediately vacate the company’s premises.

The protesters warned that the purported threat by the security agents, would only inflame the protest and cause the oil firm more trouble in the area.

They vowed not to disperse from the facility despite being allegedly threatened and intimidated by soldiers.

‘We will not stop this protest, until we extract commitment from SPDC and its Joint Venture partner, NNPC. Enough Is Enough!’, they said.

When contacted, SPDC Michael Adande said he was on the road driving and cannot respond. He asked our correspondent to send text but did not reply to the message as of time of filling this report.