Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, has successfully intervened to prevent a potentially explosive confrontation between Sterling Global Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) and the Umuseti Ogbe Community in Kwale. The police chief convened a high‑level strategic stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, after the community issued a formal notice of protest against the oil company. The meeting, held in Kwale, brought together representatives of both parties, including community leaders and senior military officers, to address grievances and find common ground before tensions boiled over.
CP Oyeniyi was accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, the Area Commander of Ozoro, the Divisional Police Officer of the Ozoro Division, and Major Emmanuel Omo‑Africa, the military officer responsible for SEEPCO’s security operations. The Umuseti Ogbe Community delegation was led by the Okpara‑Ukwu, Sunday Ebo Ogwe, who was ably represented by the Prime Minister of the community, Chief Okwa Akwaligbe. Also present was High Chief Pedro Akpe, who spoke on behalf of the community and outlined the specific grievances and concerns of the people. Representing SEEPCO was Colonel Karmveer Singh, the company’s General Manager for Community and Security, who responded to the issues raised and assured that the company remains committed to peaceful engagement and mutual understanding with its host communities.
In his opening remarks, CP Oyeniyi stressed that the security of the country remains paramount, while noting that the peace and stability of host communities are equally germane. He emphasised the need for both parties to find a common ground through dialogue and understanding. The Commissioner of Police further stated that the meeting was not convened to apportion blame, but to listen to the agitations and concerns of both parties with a view to achieving lasting peace. He assured that the Delta State Police Command will continue to strive towards ensuring sustained peace, security, and harmonious coexistence between the community and the company.
Following the meeting, the Commissioner of Police, alongside delegates from the Command, the community, and SEEPCO, embarked on an inspection tour of the Umuseti Road in Kwale as part of efforts aimed at assessing some of the issues raised during the engagement. Representatives of both SEEPCO and Umuseti Ogbe Community appreciated the intervention of the Commissioner of Police and expressed willingness to sustain dialogue towards an amicable resolution of the issues raised. The visit to the road, which had been a major point of contention, was seen as a practical step to demonstrate the police command’s commitment to finding tangible solutions.
The dispute between SEEPCO and the Umuseti Ogbe Community had been brewing for months. The community had accused the oil exploration company of neglecting its corporate social responsibilities, failing to address environmental concerns, and marginalising local workers. In a notice of protest issued prior to the meeting, community leaders had threatened to shut down operations and block access roads, which would have severely impacted SEEPCO’s production and escalated tensions into open confrontation. The intervention of the police command, therefore, averted what could have been a costly and violent standoff.
The Umuseti Ogbe Community has a long history of engagement with oil companies operating in the Niger Delta. Like many host communities, they have demanded better infrastructure, employment opportunities, and compensation for land used for exploration. SEEPCO, which has operations in Kwale, had previously signed memoranda of understanding with local communities, but implementation had been slow, leading to frustration. The police commissioner’s decision to personally mediate reflects the growing recognition that unresolved community disputes can quickly escalate into wider security crises, affecting not only the companies but also the entire region.
During the closed‑door session, community leaders presented specific demands, including the repair of the dilapidated Umuseti Road, which they argued was a key access route damaged by heavy trucks used by SEEPCO. They also requested increased employment slots for local youths, scholarship programmes, and a more transparent grievance redress mechanism. Colonel Singh, on his part, acknowledged the community’s concerns and promised to escalate them to the company’s senior management. He also assured that SEEPCO would continue to engage the community in good faith and would consider immediate repairs to the most critical sections of the road.
The inspection tour of Umuseti Road was a significant confidence‑building measure. CP Oyeniyi, accompanied by community leaders and company representatives, walked the length of the road, noting the extent of the damage. He urged SEEPCO to expedite repairs and directed the community to maintain calm and refrain from any acts that could disrupt public order. The community leaders, for their part, expressed appreciation for the police commissioner’s swift intervention and pledged to suspend their planned protest pending the outcome of further negotiations.
The Delta State Police Command has been proactive in resolving community‑corporate disputes, which are common in the oil‑rich Niger Delta. By intervening early, the command has prevented the kind of violent protests that have historically led to loss of life, destruction of property, and billions of naira in lost revenue. The command’s approach – combining dialogue, shuttle diplomacy, and on‑the‑ground inspections – offers a template for other states facing similar challenges.
As the meeting concluded, CP Oyeniyi reiterated that the police will not hesitate to take lawful action against anyone who disrupts the peace, but his preference is always for dialogue. “We are here to ensure that everyone’s rights are respected and that the rule of law prevails,” he said. Both parties have agreed to a follow‑up meeting in two weeks to review progress on the issues raised. For now, the threat of a protest has been averted, and the people of Umuseti Ogbe have returned to their homes with a renewed sense that their voices have been heard.
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