Nigeria’s crude oil production has suffered a major disruption following the shutdown of 13 oil flow stations in Delta State by protesting youths and women from oil-bearing communities in Warri Federal Constituency.
The affected facilities, operated by major oil firms including Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), and Nestoil/Neconde, collectively account for an estimated 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day (bpd), raising fresh concerns over the impact on the nation’s economy and oil revenue.
The flow stations affected by the action include Odidi 1 and 2, Batan, Ogbanabou, Jones Creek, Otunana, Egwa 1 and 2, Abiteye, Makaraba, Olero Creek, Dibi Field and Opuekeba.
The protesters, drawn from Gbaramatu, Ogbe-Ijoh, Isaba, Egbema and Diebiri Kingdoms in Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North Local Government Areas, reportedly occupied the facilities after forcing out security personnel and operational staff.
Industry sources disclosed that the demonstrators also blocked waterways leading to the facilities, effectively cutting off the movement of logistics and supplies to the affected oil companies, thereby compounding operational challenges.
The protest is linked to the lingering controversy surrounding the implementation of the ward delineation exercise recently approved by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in compliance with a Supreme Court judgment.
The aggrieved communities, largely of Ijaw extraction, accused INEC of delaying the implementation of the final delineation report and alleged that certain interests were working behind the scenes to frustrate the process.
The latest action came less than 24 hours after Ijaw and Urhobo leaders in Warri Federal Constituency threatened to shut down oil production across the area if the electoral commission failed to implement the report.
Carrying placards bearing inscriptions such as “Implement Warri Delineation Report,” “Court Ordered Delineation Must Stand,” and “No Implementation, No Production,” the protesters insisted they would sustain the occupation until the delineation exercise is fully implemented.
Speaking on behalf of the demonstrators, Chief Mrs. Maria Ebike accused INEC of failing to act despite concluding consultations and presenting its recommendations to stakeholders.
According to her, the ward delineation exercise was intended to promote fairness, equity and adequate political representation for communities within the Warri Federal Constituency.
“We have exercised restraint and waited patiently for the authorities to do the right thing. Since our concerns continue to be ignored, we have no choice but to demand justice through peaceful protest. Until the delineation report is implemented, oil production activities will remain suspended,” she said.
Ebike further alleged that influential forces within the Presidency were behind efforts to stall the implementation of the report approved by the electoral commission.
The Supreme Court had, in 2022, directed INEC to conduct a fresh ward and polling unit delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency. Following the exercise, the commission presented its final report to stakeholders in Asaba on May 20, 2026.
However, the report has since heightened tensions among the Ijaw, Urhobo and Itsekiri ethnic groups in the area. While Ijaw and Urhobo stakeholders insist the exercise was conducted in line with the Supreme Court judgment, they have accused some Itsekiri interests of lobbying influential contacts within the Presidency and the Office of the National Security Adviser to halt its implementation.
With oil production now significantly affected, concerns are mounting over the economic implications of the standoff and the potential escalation of tensions in one of Nigeria’s most strategic oil-producing regions.
