The people of Orogho Community in Ugu Ward, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, have accused Seplat Energy Plc of ceding their oil wells to neighbouring Boborokun and Okunu communities in Delta State.
In a press statement signed by its Secretary-General, Ikpomwosa Osayomore, and Ekhator Lucky, the community said it had petitioned relevant authorities over what it described as prolonged injustice, exploitation and marginalisation since Seplat took over the facilities of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in 2013.
The community said it had written to several bodies, including the Edo State Boundary Commission, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Edo State Ministry of Oil and Gas Resources, Governor Monday Okpebholo, the Edo State House of Assembly, the Divisional Police Officer, Iguelaba Division, and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
According to the statement, the petitions date back to September 25, 2025, when the community complained to the State Boundary Commission about Seplat’s alleged refusal to recognise certified true copies of the coordinates of oil wells in Orogho. The community also wrote to Seplat’s Managing Director and the NUPRC in June 2026 over the alleged non-payment of compensation for the permanent loss of use of its land.
The community alleged that its 13 per cent oil derivation entitlements were in jeopardy and that its people had been chased away from their farmlands at gunpoint.
‘To worsen the matter, the Nigerian Army has taken sides as they now support the Delta people with arms preventing free passage of our mothers and children from going about their farming activities,’ the statement claimed.
Orogho further alleged that Seplat was preparing to drill Oil Well 5 in the community, which, according to it, would make it the seventh well ceded to Delta State.
‘We are not against their operational activities, all we are saying is that our state government should call Seplat Energy to order to do what is right, because for this Oil Well 5, we will resist them if they fail to give us our rights as the rightful owner,’ the community said.
It argued that the coordinates confirming its ownership of the oil wells were available at the Edo State Geographic Information System (EDGIS) and questioned the documents Seplat was relying on to transfer benefits to communities in Delta State.
The community also faulted Seplat’s claim that the matter was sub judice, asking why the company would continue to allocate benefits to neighbouring communities if the dispute was already before a court.
‘If it is in court, then why not wait for court’s verdict rather than go ahead to give our benefits to neighbouring Delta State communities, isn’t that contempt of court?’ the statement queried.
The community warned that Seplat should be held responsible if any crisis arose from its alleged non-compliance. It called on the Federal Government, the Edo State Government, regulatory authorities and security agencies to intervene.
As of the time of filing this report, Seplat Energy’s management could not be reached for comment.