By Obiabin Onukwugha
Recently, members of Okoson community in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State protested what they described as the alleged illegal entry and forceful invasion of their ancestral land by two oil companies operating in the area — Green Energy International Limited and Lekoil Limited.
The protesters, who carried placards with various inscriptions, stormed the area in the early hours of Wednesday and carried out traditional blockade to the land.
Some of the placards read: “No work in our land without Okoson Leadership,” “Green Energy, you are to develop our land, not to divide it,” and “Green Energy and Lekoil, beware of Fraud Agreement.”
In a statement titled, “Protest Against Forceful Entry and Unlawful Invasion Against Okoson Community by Green Energy International Limited and Lekoil Without Any Permission.”
The community leaders alleged that heavy-duty equipment was brought into the area on August 30, 2026, without the consent of the community.
A statement signed by High Chief U.T. Adaiyibo, HRH Uboon G.S.N. Inituk IX, Chief J.B.N. Egbesi, Chief O.O. Urutuk, Chief CPT D.D. Oroata, Comrade Ekprikpo Dinne and Mr Geoffrey Moses Ikaan, which was read during the propest, is calling on relevant authorities including the federal and Rivers State governments to call the oil companies to order.
According to the community leaders, residents heard the sound of heavy machinery in the early hours of August 30 and later discovered that equipment was being used to clear portions of the ancestral land.
They alleged that the activities resulted in the destruction of economic trees, including iroko and palm trees, as well as the disturbance of graves and other areas they consider sacred.
The community claimed that it later discovered that Green Energy International Limited and Lekoil Limited were behind the activities and accused the companies of entering the land without the approval or consent of the Okoson community.
The protesters also alleged that a man identified as Chief Gad Harry, whom they said is from Okama Ekede community, received N94 million from the companies in an attempt to lease the land to them.
The community disputed Chief Harry’s authority to negotiate or enter into any agreement concerning the land, insisting that neither he, his late father nor his lineage had any historical connection with the founding and ownership of Okoson.
“Chief Gad Harry is an imposter and does not hold or have any ancestral land in Okoson community. He does not also possess the fiat to enter into any land or lease agreement on behalf of the Okoson people,” the statement alleged.
The community leaders said Okoson is an autonomous community with a history spanning several centuries, adding that its boundaries and ownership could be established through traditional, oral and documentary evidence.
They also rejected claims that Okoson land belonged to either Ngo or Ekede communities, maintaining that ownership was historically linked to the Ngere and Obianyi families.
According to them, the land contains ancestral burial grounds and traditional shrines where rituals have historically been performed.
They identified the Oron Uboong sacred bush and Okoson Iza as traditional burial areas, while they said the Obianyi family maintains the Ogbokolobia shrine.
The community warned that the disturbance of graves, shrines and other sacred sites without consultation with the recognised custodians could create tension and have serious consequences.
“The spirit of our ancestors have arisen as their solace and solitary rest have been disturbed by the Nicodemus entry and invasion into their sacred holiness by Green Energy International Limited and LEKOIL Joint Ventures,” the statement said.
The protesters vowed that the community would not allow the companies, Chief Gad Harry or their alleged representatives and agents to continue what they described as the desecration of their ancestral land.
They called on President Bola Tinubu, Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area and security agencies operating in the area to intervene.
The community specifically urged the authorities to direct Green Energy International Limited and Lekoil Limited to stay away from the disputed land pending the resolution of the ownership and consent issues. They also appealed to security agencies hold the companies responsible for any breakdown of law and order or injuries that might arise from further activities on the land.
While Chief Gad Harry, who is at the centre of this dispute is yet to react to the allegations as at the time of filing this report, the action by the two oil companies is a stack reminder of the negative influence of oil multinationals operations in the Niger Delta region.
A stack example is Rumuekpe community in Emohua local government area where internal communal crisis linked to divide and rule tactics of oil corporations have led to the death of many and communities deserted for over a decade.
A member of Ngo.community with Okoson community roots, Adasi Abbey, told NatureNews that his father was buried on that land. “I can still identify my father’s grave. While the Okoson community migrated to other communities, we have maintained that land as our burial ground.
“I believe what is happening there has a political undertone but our people will not allow it. With the traditional blockade nobody should dare to enter there for any reason whatsoever. I think it is high time some of us return to build houses there,” Abbey told NatureNews reporter.
With the Petroleum Industry Act in place and communities of the Niger Delta now aware of their rights and the impacts of oil exploitation and exploration on their environment, it is only right that oil companies, especially Green Energy and Lekoil Limited respect the rights and demand of the peoples so as to forestall any crisis in the area.
