‘Sponsors Named, AK-47s Seized, Yet Suspects Walk Free’, Protesters Allege as Protest Rocks Oil-rich Ugborodo

…Over alleged cover-ip of armed attackers

Tension enveloped oil-rich Ugborodo community on Tuesday as hundreds of residents flooded the streets of Ogidigben to protest what they describe as the highly suspicious release of armed suspects who allegedly terrorized their community.

BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com) reports the protesters are demanding an immediate, independent investigation into how the alleged suspects who were caught red-handed with a cache of military-grade weapons following a violent raid in December 2025 and April 2026 are reportedly back on the streets.

The tension was traced back to late last year when according to the protesters, a deadly attack was launched December 20, 2025, which claimed the life of a resident, Mr. Emiko Onuwaje.

The protesters recounted that the violence attack escalated dramatically between April 6 and 7, 2026, when over 30 heavily armed gunmen allegedly invaded Ogidigben for the second times.

According to the protesters who bored various placards with inscriptions, the assailants fired indiscriminately through the night, terrorizing not just Ogidigben but seven neighbouring riverine communities within the Federated Ugborodo Communities.

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They alleged that the sustained gunfire forced panicked women, children, and the elderly to flee into nearby swamps and forests for survival, completely paralyzing local economic and social life before military reinforcements arrived the following morning.

Narrating the ordeal which led to the protest, leaders of the Ugborodo Community National Youth Council, in a press statement signed by Mr. Richard Arubi (Chairman), Julius Olueh (Secretary), said that between 6th and 7th of April 2026, more than thirty heavily armed assailants reportedly invaded Ogidigben Community.

The statement reads, “for several months, the people of Ogidigben and surrounding communities have experienced recurring invasion and other security challenges allegedly perpetrated by armed groups operating within the area.

“These incidents have reportedly resulted in loss of lives, destruction of property, disruption of economic activities, and widespread fear among residents”.

“In our accounts as residents, the attackers fired sporadically throughout the night, causing panic and confusion across Ogidigben, Ajudaibo, Madangho, Akpakpa, Ogogoro, Ajokorogbo, Elolo, and neighbouring Communities.

“Women, children, the elderly, and other vulnerable residents reportedly fled into nearby bushes and swamps to escape the violence.

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“The sustained gunfire effectively paralysed community life and left residents traumatized and uncertain about their safety.

“Before military personnel arrived at approximately 8:30 a.m., the attackers had reportedly retreated into surrounding bushes and creeks”.

They disclosed that some of the suspected attackers, reportedly unfamiliar with the terrain, who were held by vigilante escaped mob action after community leaders intervened and ensured they were handed over to government security authorities.

The protesters said that the suspects which included a couple made confessional statements during interrogation, claiming they were recruited by some individuals including a traditional chief and others yet to be identified.

“The suspects allegedly linked these individuals to violent activities within the community and reportedly admitted participating in the armed operation carried out on the night of the attack”.

They claimed that following the arrests, security operatives reportedly recovered several weapons and related items from a location alleged to be connected to the suspects.

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“The recovered items reportedly included: Four (4) AK-47 rifles; Six (6) magazines; Ammunition of various calibres; Cutlasses; Dangerous weapons and charms”, they alleged.

Drawing the attention of the national security adviser to their plight, the Ogidigben protesters said “this matter extends beyond Ugborodo Community. It raises broader national questions regarding: The handling of serious criminal investigations; the accountability of security institutions; public confidence in law enforcement; the fight against illegal arms proliferation; the fight against violent crimes, invasion, kidnapping, Illegal oil bunkering, and organized criminal networks.

They maintained that where citizens cooperate with security agencies and suspects are apprehended, there must be transparency regarding investigative outcomes, stressing that failure to provide such transparency risks undermining public trust and discouraging future cooperation with law enforcement authorities.

The leaders said that as law abiding community, “the suspects were not harmed instead, they were handed over peacefully to the then Army Capt. Commanding Escravos, who in turn transferred the suspects to 33 Battalion of the Nigeria Army Command in Effurun, Delta State, for proper investigation of the source of the cache of arms and possible prosecution”.

Expressing dismay over the whereabouts of the suspects, some of whom they alleged are now walking freely in Warri, the protesters in a petition which was read during the protest are demanding answers to the “official status of the suspects apprehended after the Ogidigben attack? Were the suspects formally charged before a court of competent jurisdiction? Considering the petition filed by the community, what became of the weapons and ammunition reportedly recovered during the operation?

“Was a comprehensive investigation conducted following the alleged confessional statements? If the suspects were released, what legal or evidentiary basis informed such a decision? Were victims and community representatives informed of the outcome of the investigation?”

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Demanding thorough independent investigation into the status of the suspects and the recovered weapons, the protesters alleged cover up of the matter which had been before law enforcement agencies since December 2025.

In a formal petition dated June 9, 2026, signed by legal counsel, Mr. Peter Aihiokhai Esq., on behalf of the Ugborodo Management Community, residents expressed a total loss of confidence in the officers handling the case, alleging that the activities of the suspects have crippled the social and economic life of Ogidigben community people who now live in fear of possible attack.

While reaffirming their commitment to remaining law-abiding, Ugborodo leaders warned that the economic and social life of the community remains crippled by fear, and they will not stand by silently while grave security lapses threaten their survival.