Three indigenes of Ugborodo community among scores of others protesting the perceived non-implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) are feared missing in the Escravos River in Warri Southwest council area of Delta State.

It was gathered that the trio went missing following alleged attacks by naval officers, led by the Nigerian Navy Commanding Officer, CNL Tank Farm, Ugborodo, Aliu Olayinka, on Wednesday night.

A leader of the community, Mr. Alex Eyengho, who raised the alarm via a terse WhatsApp message around 2a.m on Thursday, said the locals were missing, due to alleged “vicious attacks on the peaceful protesters at about 12 midnight”.

“As we speak, three of the protesters are still missing somewhere at the bottom of the Escravos river, due to the vicious attacks of Olayinka Aliu and his men, on the instruction of Brikinn, Momodu and other Chevron senior officials,” the message reads

In some videos of the midnight confrontation made available to reporters, the locals, while on the Escravos River could be heard speaking to persons believed to be naval personnel to allow their peaceful protest go on.

“We do not have any issues with you. We are fighting for our rights. You are also from communities…,” one of the voices said.

Prior to the alleged attack, Eyengho claimed that the CO had vowed to shoot at and kill the peaceful protesters if they continued with the protest from on Thursday.

He said the Navy CO, Aliu, made the threat on Wednesday when he came to address the protesters, adding that the Navy should be held responsible should the protest escalate.

“Let me put it on record that if the ongoing peaceful protest against the manifest acts of illegalities and wickedness of Chevron towards its key host communities go out of hand, the Navy in the area, under the leadership of Olayinka Aliu, should be held responsible.

“Apart from the lingering issue of the deliberate non – implementation by Chevron of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in accordance with extant laws and regulations, the peaceful protesters have other existential issues with Chevron.

“We refuse to be intimidated in our homeland by an international oil company and its security agents. Chevron must meet the demands of Ugborodo community and other host communities on the implementation of the PIA and other existential matters.

“This is one protest that will not come like a flash in the pan. We are determined. We are resolute. It is no retreat, no surrender. We shall not be intimidated by Chevron or the security agencies on this matter. They should be ready to shoot and kill everybody in Ugborodo Community and other host communities who are part of this protest.”

The protesters listed 41 demands from Chevron, which include: implementation of the Ikpere HCDT as agreed with Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), employment of indigenes in the Turn Around Maintenance of the company, provision of social amenities, conversion of qualified community workers to direct staff.

They also called on CNL to stop alleged marginalisation of Ugborodo community, its divide and rule tactics as well as interference by company officials, among others.

The action started on Monday with aggrieved protesters carrying different placards barricading the Chevron dock which had been closed by the protesters with “Cotonou” boats. (The Nation, excluding headline)

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