The Federal Government has ordered an immediate reinforcement of security at all dormant oil wells in Ogoniland, Rivers State, to prevent interference and acts of sabotage.
The move follows a massive oil spill at the Yorla Oil Field in Kpean, Khana Local Government Area, which devastated farmlands and vegetation in September.
National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, who led a Federal Government delegation to the spill site on Monday, described the incident as sabotage, dismissing claims by a civil society group that equipment failure caused the spill. Ribadu urged residents to safeguard both their wealth and the nation’s resources.
He said, “This is a well that has not been active for over 30 years. Selfish individuals come to vandalise facilities in the hope of stealing crude.
Investigations are ongoing, and we will pursue those responsible. Bringing perpetrators to justice sends a strong message that nobody will get away with this.”
Ribadu confirmed that containment efforts had succeeded and recovery operations were ongoing. He added that security agencies had been directed to move into all inactive oil-producing areas to prevent future incidents.
The delegation also engaged local communities, visited health centres, and assessed infrastructure as part of efforts to rebuild and support Ogoniland.
NNPC Group CEO Bashir Ojulari said a follow-up assessment would secure vulnerable points, evaluate facility conditions, and ensure safe future production. Minister of Environment Balarabe Lawal described the spill as disturbing but confirmed it had been contained and said measures were being put in place to address other potential high-risk areas.
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