By Osehobo Ofure, Benin City
The leadership of Warri Kingdom has refuted claims associating Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) with the recent protest and operational disruption at the Ogidigben oil field in Ugborodo, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.
Reacting to public comments credited to the media aide of High Chief (Dr.) Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, the Kingdom issued a statement on Thursday to set the record straight. The statement, conveyed through Mr. Omasan Mabiaku, Media Aide to His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, the Olu of Warri, clarified that PINL neither holds a surveillance nor security contract in Delta State.
Describing the assertion as both “incorrect and misleading,” Mabiaku stated: “PINL’s engagements are clearly defined and are not associated with the surveillance responsibilities in the area under discussion. To suggest otherwise is not only incorrect but misleading, and it risks creating unnecessary confusion in an already sensitive operating environment.”
According to him, the ongoing public narrative attempting to assign blame to PINL over the Ugborodo protest is fundamentally flawed and does not reflect the true situation on the ground.
Mabiaku emphasized that the protest at Ogidigben was a peaceful civic demonstration centered on ward delineation and political representation — issues falling outside the responsibilities of security contractors and oil field operators.
“The protest in question was a peaceful civic action rooted in concerns over ward delineation and political representation, which are outside the purview of both security contractors and operators,” he explained.
“Any attempts to redirect attention away from the legitimate expressions of the people by ascribing operational failures are both unfair and unhelpful,” Mabiaku added.
Reaffirming the Kingdom’s commitment to peace and constructive engagement, he noted: “His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, the Olu of Warri, remains unwavering in his advocacy for peace, accountability, and the protection of Nigeria’s critical infrastructure. Warri Kingdom continues to support the efforts of the Federal Government and its partners in ensuring stability and development across the region.”
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