DELTA – Hundreds of protesters from Ijaw and Urhobo communities in Warri Federal Constituency have shut down 13 oil flow stations, demanding the immediate implementation of a court-ordered ward delineation exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The action, which began on Monday, came less than 24 hours after community leaders vowed to halt oil production if the final delineation report was not enforced.
Affected facilities include Odidi 1 and 2, Batan, Ogbanabou, Jones Creek, Otunana, Egwa 1 and 2, Abiteye, Makaraba, Olero Creek, Dibi Field, and Opuekeba flow stations. These installations are operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), and NESTOIL/NECONDE, with a combined output of approximately 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
Protesters seize facilities, block logistics
Women and youths armed with placards occupied the flow stations after reportedly chasing away security personnel employed by the affected companies. They have also barred all logistic supplies through waterways, severely disrupting operations.
Placard inscriptions read: “INEC: Implement Warri Delineation Report,” “Court Ordered Judgment on Wards and Polling Units Delineation,” and “No Implementation, No Production.”
The protesters hail from the Gbaramatu, Ogbe-Ijoh, Isaba, Egbema, and Diebiri Kingdoms, which fall within Warri Federal Constituency—comprising Warri South, Warri South West, and Warri North local government areas.
‘Powerful forces’ accused of sabotage
Leader of the protest, Chief (Mrs.) Maria Ebike, accused INEC of deliberately delaying the implementation process despite completed consultations and recommendations aimed at resolving long-standing concerns over political representation.
She further alleged that “some powerful forces in the Presidency” were working to frustrate the implementation of INEC’s own report.
“We have waited patiently for the authorities to do the right thing. Since they continue to ignore our voices, we have no option but to demand justice through peaceful protests. No implementation of the ward delineation, no oil production,” she stated.
‘We are peaceful people, but we demand justice’
Madam Fanty Goodness Owotorufa, immediate past secretary of the Benekukru community, echoed the sentiment.
“The Supreme Court has already ruled on how these wards should be structured. The only thing left is for INEC to implement its own approved and published report. We are peaceful people, but we demand justice,” she said.
Supreme Court order and INEC report
The Supreme Court had in 2022 ordered a fresh delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency. In compliance, INEC carried out the exercise and presented its final report to stakeholders in Asaba, the Delta State capital, on 20 May 2026.
Protesters accuse their Itsekiri neighbours of orchestrating clandestine moves to block the report’s implementation. They have vowed to sustain the shutdown until their demands are met.
As of the time of filing this report, neither INEC nor the affected oil companies had issued an official statement regarding the protest or the disruption to crude oil production.
