Aja Osolo Protest Allegedly Disrupted by Armed OML 150 Group

A peaceful protest at the Obodo Flow Station in Delta State was violently disrupted on Thursday, June 20, 2025, by an armed group allegedly supported by corporate and local interests, according to representatives of the Aja Osolo community.

The protest took place at the jetty of the OML 150 oil field and was organised by members of the Aja Osolo community. Community members stated that the purpose of the demonstration was to express their displeasure over the alleged ongoing marginalisation, exploitation, and neglect by oil operators Conoil and Continental Creations Nigeria Limited (CCNL).

In a statement issued shortly after the incident, the protesters claimed the disruption was led by Monday Agbeyi, head of the OML 150 Forum. The armed group reportedly arrived in six boats five of them speedboats carrying young men armed with cutlasses and battle axes.

The armed individuals allegedly bypassed security checkpoints manned by the Nigerian Navy and Army and proceeded directly to the jetty, where protesters had erected a barricade as part of their demonstration.

Aja Osolo community maintains that the protest was non-violent and aimed at demanding accountability and equitable treatment following what they say has been nearly a year of resource extraction from their ancestral land, with no tangible benefits to the local population.

According to their account, the armed group dismantled the barricades before leaving. Shortly after this, Nigerian Navy personnel arrived at the scene with a gunboat and reportedly threatened to resume oil loading operations by force. Community members stated this as a further attempt to suppress their right to peaceful protest.

In response, local residents, including both men and women, regrouped at the site and remained non-violent despite what they viewed as intimidation. After about an hour, naval forces reportedly withdrew to their houseboat without further attempts to access the jetty.

Community leaders interpreted the day’s events as evidence of a coordinated effort between economic interests, armed groups, and security forces to silence dissent. They are calling for immediate intervention from the Olu of Warri, prominent Itsekiri leaders, the Federal and State Governments, Warri South Local Government Council, and human rights organisations.

Aja Osolo community stresses that their demands go beyond oil-related grievances but a broader struggle for justice, dignity, and survival. They asserted their ownership of the land urging oil operators to acknowledge and respect their rights.

As of the time of publication, no official response has been received from Conoil, CCNL, and the Nigerian Navy.