Niger Delta Erupts: Ezetu Leader Rejects “Pipeline Monopoly,” Demands Total Shake-Up Of Surveillance System
By Paul Ebi
Tensions are rising in the Niger Delta as a prominent community voice from Ezetu Kingdom in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has called for the immediate decentralisation of pipeline surveillance operations, warning that the current structure threatens peace, equity, and local participation.
In a strongly worded statement, community leader Diboemi Isreal Abakadaremo, also known as Pastor Jacob, criticised what he described as the monopolisation of pipeline surveillance contracts across the region. He urged the Federal Government under Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently restructure the system to reflect the interests of host communities.
Pipeline Ownership, Host Community Rights
Abakadaremo emphasized that Ezetu and neighbouring Bilabiri are critical pipeline host communities, noting that major gas infrastructure linking offshore fields to facilities such as Nigeria LNG Limited passes through their territories.
He listed several oil assets and operators linked to the area, including the Atala, Agbami, and Bonga oil fields, as well as companies like NNPC Limited and First E&P. According to him, these operations have significant environmental and economic impacts on local populations, justifying their demand for inclusion in surveillance and security arrangements.
Attack on Critics, Political Undercurrents
The Ezetu leader also took direct aim at former Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) President, Udenge Eradiri, questioning his contributions to the region and accusing him of fueling division.
He referenced historical disputes over oil field ownership during the administration of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, crediting ex-militant leader Ebikabowei Victor Ben for defending Bayelsa’s stake in offshore assets.
Similarly, he criticised Pastor Reuben and other stakeholders for what he described as “blackmail and misinformation,” particularly in relation to pipeline host community status and security coordination.
Bayelsa Government Under Fire
In one of the most contentious parts of the statement, Abakadaremo accused the Bayelsa State Government of failing to protect the interests of oil-producing communities. He alleged that the controversial sale of the Atala Oil Field reflected a lack of strategic control over state resources.
He further questioned why certain coastal communities, including Ezetu, Ekeni, and Foropa, were excluded from surveillance coverage reportedly handled by private security outfits linked to ex-militant leader Government Ekpemupolo.
Claims of intimidation and arrests of local youths in areas such as the Pennington River were also raised, adding to concerns about human rights and community relations.
Call for Federal Intervention
Abakadaremo called on the Federal Government and security agencies—including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, and Nigerian Air Force—to intervene and ensure a fair distribution of surveillance responsibilities.
He argued that decentralising pipeline surveillance would not only improve security but also foster peace by giving local stakeholders a sense of ownership.
Traditional Institutions, Regional Identity
The statement also criticised some traditional rulers in the Niger Delta, accusing them of compromising their roles by aligning with political interests without proper verification of facts.
In a direct message to Tompolo, Abakadaremo challenged claims regarding pipeline presence in Oporoza, insisting that communities must not be forced to submit to external control or narratives.
A Region on Edge
The renewed agitation highlights deepening fractures within the Niger Delta over resource control, surveillance contracts, and political influence. With growing calls for restructuring and inclusion, analysts warn that failure to address these concerns could reignite tensions in a region long plagued by unrest.
For now, all eyes remain on Abuja as stakeholders await the response of the Federal Government to what could become a defining issue in the management of Nigeria’s oil-rich but volatile Niger Delta.
