Itsekiri Natives Shut Down Delta Oil Refinery Amid Tension
Operations have reportedly ground to a halt at a 28,000-barrel-per-day oil production facility in Ogidigben, Warri, Delta State, after Itsekiri natives staged a mass protest and shut down the refinery on Wednesday.
A video released by TVC shows hundreds of locals—men, women, and youths—gathered at the entrance of the facility, chanting and demonstrating, effectively bringing activities to a standstill. The protest has heightened tensions in the region.
The facility, once operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), is now under the management of Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings.
Protesters expressed anger over recent ward and polling unit delineation proposals made by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the Warri Federal Constituency.
The aggrieved natives claimed the proposed delineation, which followed a Supreme Court ruling, marginalizes the Itsekiri people.
They warned that unless urgent steps are taken to address their concerns, demonstrations will spread to other critical national assets within Itsekiri land.
This shutdown marks a serious escalation, occurring just a week after INEC’s announcement, and underscores growing unrest over political representation in the region.
Itsekiri Natives Shut Down Delta Oil Refinery Amid Tension
