“7 Days To Fix OML 18 Or We Shut It Down!” — IYC Tells FG, NNPCL: “Stop Watching Our People Burn, Enough Is Enough!”

By Passman Akpos

PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE — The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and operators of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 to urgently address what it described as a prolonged gas leak and recurring fires affecting Ofioma-Ama Alakiri Community in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The ultimatum followed an on-the-ground assessment visit to the community on Thursday, August 27, 2026, led by the IYC Worldwide President, Comr. Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete.

According to the council, more than 50 speedboats were deployed for the assessment, following repeated appeals from residents over what it described as an “unabated” gas leak from facilities associated with OML 18.

The IYC alleged that the situation had persisted for more than two years, despite numerous letters, appeals and requests for intervention from residents of the affected community.

The council claimed that its assessment convinced its leadership that the recurring fires were not caused by sabotage but were instead linked to equipment failure and alleged negligence by the operators.

The allegation has not been independently verified.

The IYC said the continuing gas leak and fires have exposed residents and neighbouring communities to what it described as serious environmental and humanitarian risks, including toxic emissions, threats to lives and property, environmental degradation and disruption of local livelihoods.

“What we saw for ourselves is not the result of sabotage but purely arise out of equipment failure and the negligence of the operating company,” the council said in the statement signed by its National Spokesman, Comr. Victor Ibanigo.

The group also raised concerns over the activities of NNPCL and its vendors, alleging that the persistent fire had forced some operations to be conducted from the shores of the community rather than through the affected installations.

The council claimed that crude-related materials were being loaded and unloaded around the community, which it said was worsening the environmental situation.

Seven-Day Deadline

The IYC demanded immediate action from the Federal Government, NNPCL and relevant regulatory and security agencies.

Among its demands are the identification and containment of the source of the alleged gas leak, prevention of further fires, protection of residents, environmental remediation and payment of compensation to affected residents.

The council said the seven-day ultimatum commenced on August 27 and described it as a “final call for responsible engagement and urgent action” rather than a threat.

However, the IYC warned that failure to take decisive action within the seven-day period would lead to the mobilisation of Ijaw youths and affected communities for what it called a total shutdown of the OML 18 facilities and ground production activities.

It also threatened to pursue legal action against the Federal Government and other individuals and companies it believes are connected to the oil field before appropriate national and international authorities.

‘Patience Must Not Be Mistaken For Weakness’

The council accused the government and relevant agencies of ignoring repeated complaints from the affected communities.

It appealed to agencies including the Office of the National Security Adviser, NNPCL, NUPRC, NOSDRA, NESREA, the Ministry of Petroleum and the Rivers State Government to use the seven-day window to intervene before the situation escalates.

The IYC said Ijaw communities had remained patient despite years of alleged neglect.

“Ijaw people like always have been patient. We have written letters. We have made appeals. We have issued communiqués. We have engaged. But patience must not be mistaken for weakness, and silence must not be interpreted as consent to the continued endangerment of our people,” the council stated.

The group further warned that any attempt to respond to the situation through the deployment of security forces against peaceful protesters could worsen tensions.

It urged the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to act before the expiration of the ultimatum, stressing that the council would not remain silent while, in its words, “the lives and future of our people are placed at risk.”

The statement was signed by Comr. Victor Ibanigo, National Spokesman, Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide.