The Chairman of Odidi Federated Community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, Prince Preye Okrikpa, has warned individuals and groups against staging unauthorised protests in the name of the oil-producing community over the lingering oil spill involving Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL).
Okrikpa, who spoke through the Community Secretary, Comrade Clement Numa, said the community leadership would not allow the prolonged environmental crisis to be exploited by individuals for illegal protests, nefarious activities or actions capable of threatening peace in the host community.
In a statement signed by Numa in Warri on Monday and made available to journalists, the community leadership said its attention had been drawn to a protest by persons allegedly parading themselves as leaders of Odidi Community and individuals from neighbouring communities claiming to act on behalf of Odidi people.
The leadership declared that any protest purportedly organised in the name of Odidi Community without the authorisation of the Okrikpa-led executive was “illegal and unacceptable.”
The statement reads in part: “The attention of Odidi leadership has been drawn to a protest by some group of persons parading themselves as leaders of Odidi Community and some persons from neighbouring communities, claiming to protest on behalf of Odidi people.
“We want to make it categorically clear that any protest that is not authorised by the Preye Okrikpa-led Executive on behalf of Odidi people is illegal and unacceptable.”
However, the community stressed that its position should not be misconstrued as opposition to legitimate intervention over the oil spill, saying its demand remains an immediate end to the environmental crisis and meaningful engagement with the recognised community leadership.
It therefore called on HEOSL to urgently stop the continuing oil spill, contain and clean up the affected environment, provide medical support to affected residents and compensate persons whose livelihoods have been impacted by the pollution.
The community also urged the oil operator to deal directly with the Okrikpa-led executive in resolving the environmental crisis, rather than engaging persons whose authority to represent Odidi is being contested.
Numa warned that any attempt by HEOSL to engage disputed community representatives or undermine the existing judicial process could further aggravate tensions and threaten peace in the community.
The controversy is linked to an ongoing case before the High Court of Delta State, Warri, in Suit No. W/102/2026, involving competing claims over the leadership and representation of Odidi Community.
According to the community leadership, the court has directed the parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the matter.
Against this backdrop, the community called on HEOSL, government agencies, security authorities and other stakeholders to exercise restraint and avoid actions capable of complicating the judicial process or escalating the leadership dispute.
The Okrikpa-led executive further demanded urgent intervention by the Federal Government, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), NNPC Limited and relevant security agencies over the environmental situation.
It said appropriate regulatory sanctions should be considered against HEOSL if investigation establishes any breach of applicable laws, regulations or court directives.
The community leadership also called on security agencies to closely monitor developments surrounding the oil spill to prevent the situation from being hijacked by hoodlums or criminal elements seeking to exploit the crisis for nefarious activities or cause a breakdown of law and order.
The statement warned that the environmental crisis should not become a trigger for further instability, stressing that the interests of the affected people must remain central to all efforts to resolve the matter.
The statement was endorsed by:
Prince Preye Okrikpa — Chairman
Comrade Clement Numa — Secretary
Mr. Mike Komkemele — Public Relations Officer
Chief William Mamamu
Chief Lawrence Okrikpa
Chief Michael Aribogha
Elder Pori Newyear
Elder Godwin Ganiga
Elder Mike Kulu
Chief Isaiah Ibilou
Engr. Moses Ibilou
Elder Johnson Febunafa
Mr. Joseph Hitler Oyateide — Youth President
Mrs. Nancy Ad
o — Women Leader
For and on behalf of Odidi Community
