The Federal Government has directed security agencies to immediately strengthen protection around all inactive oil wells in Ogoniland, Rivers State, following a major oil spill that damaged farmlands and vegetation in the area.
The order was disclosed by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, during a visit to the Yorla Oil Field in Kpean community, Khana Local Government Area, where a large spill occurred in September. The spill affected agricultural land and the surrounding ecosystem, sparking concern among residents and environmental groups.
Speaking during the assessment tour, Ribadu said preliminary findings indicated that the incident was a deliberate act of sabotage rather than equipment failure, as earlier claimed by a civil society organisation. He noted that the affected well had been dormant for more than three decades, making the damage particularly troubling.
According to the NSA, government assets have already been deployed to contain the spill, which he confirmed has been stopped, while recovery and environmental restoration efforts are ongoing. He added that investigations were underway to identify those responsible, stressing that prosecution would serve as a deterrent against future attacks on oil infrastructure.
Ribadu explained that the Federal Government was engaging directly with Ogoni communities to understand their concerns and respond to their needs, describing the visit as part of President Bola Tinubu’s directive to address both security and environmental issues in the area.
He urged residents to help protect oil facilities, describing them as resources that belong to both the local communities and the nation.
As part of the new security measures, Ribadu said security operatives had been instructed to move into all long-abandoned oil-producing locations in Ogoniland to prevent vandalism, crude theft and further environmental damage.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bashir Ojulari, also confirmed that a Joint Investigation Visit had been carried out at the spill site, with a second, more detailed assessment currently in progress.
He explained that the initial inspection was limited due to unsafe conditions at the time but that the follow-up would focus on evaluating asset integrity, securing weak points and planning remediation work.
Ojulari added that discussions with the Ogoni people had been positive, paving the way for technical teams to re-enter the area and begin necessary repairs with the long-term goal of safe and sustainable production.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, described the spill as alarming, especially as it occurred at an inactive well. He said the ministry, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, was working to identify other high-risk areas to prevent similar incidents.
Ribadu also commended the Rivers State Government for its cooperation and praised ongoing federal interventions, saying Ogoniland was entering a new phase after decades of environmental challenges.
He reiterated that protecting oil assets was a shared responsibility and warned that those who sabotage national resources would be held accountable.
