10 feared dead in Rivers oil spill clash

Author: Gist Correspondent

At least 10 people are feared dead after a community boat reportedly capsized during a confrontation between residents and alleged military personnel over an oil spill at Oil Mining Lease (OML) 55 in Kula, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The confrontation reportedly followed an oil spill allegedly linked to operations involving businessman Cletus Ibeto at the oil asset.

Sources said community members had sought to stop further operations at the site pending the remediation of the affected environment and payment of compensation to the affected residents.

However, tensions allegedly escalated when military personnel arrived at the location, triggering a confrontation with youths from the community.

A community leader, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, who confirmed the incident to newsmen, alleged that the deployment of military personnel heightened tensions and undermined efforts to resolve the dispute peacefully.

He said the community had been making efforts to prevent a breakdown of law and order before the reported confrontation.

Sara-Igbe called on the police and other relevant security authorities to investigate the incident and establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged military operation.

He also questioned the decision to deploy military personnel to the area, alleging that the operation was undertaken without sufficient efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution.

“The confrontation occurred amid attempts by residents to resist the alleged forceful re-entry to the site, during which a community boat capsized while trying to resist them,” he said.

The community leader added that all those feared dead were male, although details surrounding the incident remained unclear.

However, the exact number of casualties could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.

There was no immediate response from the military or other relevant authorities to the allegations.

Further details, including the identities of the missing persons and the precise circumstances surrounding the confrontation, were still being established.

Rescue operations were reportedly ongoing, with the casualties expected to be brought to Port Harcourt on Wednesday.