Residents of Mosogar Kingdom in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State on Thursday staged a peaceful protest at a Seplat Energy facility in Amaladi community, accusing the oil firm of sidelining them in decisions concerning a project within the Delta axis of the Sakpoba Forest Reserve.
The demonstrators, drawn from Ugbakele, Owe, Ugbarikpe, Amaladi and neighbouring communities, converged on the project site in the Delta/Mosogar portion of the Sakpoba Forest Reserve on February 19, 2026, demanding what they described as justice and fair engagement.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Recognise Mosogar as Host Community” and “Dialogue, Not Exclusion,” the protesters insisted that any development on land they consider part of their ancestral kingdom must involve their traditional ruler, youth leaders and other stakeholders.
At the centre of the dispute is the installation of a “Ring” project reportedly being executed by Seplat Energy in the forest reserve.
Protest leaders alleged that the company commenced work without formal consultation or clearance from Mosogar authorities, describing the move as a breach of established engagement protocols in oil-producing communities.
“We are not against development,” one of the community leaders told journalists at the scene. “But development must follow due process. We want justice, not trouble.”
The protesters further alleged that Seplat had shifted its engagement largely to Edo State authorities and neighbouring communities, effectively sidelining Mosogar in matters relating to the Delta portion of the forest reserve.
According to them, Mosogar’s claim to the disputed area predates the current disagreement, and any attempt to redefine host community status without its input could inflame tensions between Delta and neighbouring Edo communities that have coexisted peacefully for decades.
The community also raised legal concerns, stating that a Magistrate Court sitting in Mosogar had granted a stay of execution in a related matter, yet installation work allegedly continued.
They described the development as disrespectful to both the community and the judicial process.
Throughout the protest, leaders emphasised that the demonstration remained peaceful, warning however that continued exclusion could strain inter-community relations in the region.
The dispute underscores broader concerns across the Niger Delta, where oil and gas operations often intersect with complex issues of land ownership, host community recognition and benefit sharing.
Under Nigeria’s petroleum laws and industry practice, oil companies are required to engage recognised host communities before and during project execution. Community leaders said failure to do so not only undermines trust but also threatens long-term stability in oil-producing areas.
For residents of Amaladi, Owe, Ugbarikpe and Ugbakele, the stakes are high. Recognition as a host community can determine access to employment opportunities, contracts, development projects and participation in environmental monitoring and compensation processes linked to oil exploration activities.
Many protesters warned that exclusion from the current project could have lasting economic consequences for their people.
They called on Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to urgently intervene and clarify the state government’s position on the disputed portion of the Sakpoba Forest Reserve.
They also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources to ensure fairness and compliance with due process in the execution of the project.
Efforts to get Seplat Energy’s response were unsuccessful as of press time.
Community leaders, however, urged the company to suspend further work and return to the negotiation table, insisting that direct engagement with Mosogar’s traditional institutions and youth representatives remains the most viable path to peace.
As calm returned to the forest reserve after the protest, the message from Mosogar Kingdom rang clear — development must not come at the expense of recognition, respect and the rule of law.
