Okogho vows to defend host community status of Oil Wells 24, 25 with lawful, evidence - based resolution

The leadership of Okogho Community in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, has vowed to defend its host community status of oil wells 24 and 25 operated by Chevron Nigeria Limited, saying claim of ownership by any other community, must be supported by credible evidence.

Okogho Community, maintained that it has no recognised common boundary with "the claimant community in the disputed area."

Iranlowo Orighomisan Joseph, anchoring the media parley

The Olare - Aja ( oldest man) of Okogho Community, Elder Johnson Tajinere Olikiti Eden, who made the declaration Saturday November 7, during a media briefing held at Okogho Community hall, Okogho, urged all parties to avoid inflammatory statements, respect the rule of law and allow any unresolved questions of ownership, boundaries and administrative jurisdiction, to be addressed through the appropriate legal and instructional processes.

According to him, the land within the Obaregin, Ubinunu and Ubarira axis, including the locations associated with wells 24 and 25 of Makaraba Oil Field, forms part of Okogho Community's ancestral territory and " the management records of Chevron Nigeria Limited, recognise this fact long ago."

One of the disputed oil wells

Below, is the complete press statement:"

PRESS BRIEFING OKOGHO COMMUNITY.

RE: CLARIFICATION ON OWNERSHIP CLAIMS TO WELLS 24 AND 25 AND THE UBARIRA / UBINUNJ AXIS OF THE MAKARABA OIL FIELD

1. INTRODUCTION

The attention of Okogho Community, The descendants of Prince Jule Atogbuwa, The eldest son of the 14th olu of Warri Kingdom, Olu Atogbuwa 1, Reigned about 1730 - 1760 A.D, whos Ancestral territory extends from Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, Our attention has also been drawn to statements and publications circulating on social media concerning claims to land and oil wells, identified as Wells 24 and 25, situated within the Ubinunu axis of the Makaraba Oil Field which is being operated by Chevron Nigeria Limited.

This briefing is issued to clarify the position of Okogho Community, to correct misleading information in the, public domain, and to call for a peaceful, lawful and evidence-based resolution of the issues raised.

2. THE POSITION OF OKOGHO COMMUNITY ON OWNERSHIP

Okogho Community firmly maintains that the land in question, including the Ubarira / Ubinunu and the Obaregin axis and the locations associated with Wells 24 and 25, forms part of our ancestral territory as descendants of Prince Jule Atogbuwa.

Okogho Community maintains that any assertion of ownership by any other community must be supported by credible evidence and established in accordance with applicable Nigerian law. The Community therefore calls on all parties to refrain from presenting disputed claims as conclusively established facts without appropriate supporting evidence.

Okogho Community further maintains that ownership issues relating to the said area were settled by the International Oil Company (Chevron Nigeria Limited) before operations commenced many years ago.

3. PUBLIC DECLARATIONS DO NOT ESTABLISH TITLE TO LAND

Okogho Community wishes to emphasise that a press conference, public declaration, social media publication, or mobilisation of supporters does not, by itself, constitute conclusive legal proof of ownership of land.

The determination of title to land must be based on legally admissible evidence and the applicable principles of Nigerian law. Okogho Community is prepared to defend its position through lawful and appropriate channels.

4. LOCATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE JURISDICTION

Okogho Community maintains that the locations associated with Wells 24, 25, 20 and 21 in the Ubinunu axis fall within Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria.

The Community further maintains that its ancestral territory extends to areas adjoining the boundaries of Warri North, Warri South-West and Warri South Local Government Areas.

For the avoidance of doubt, the question of administrative jurisdiction is distinct from the question of customary or legal ownership of land. Vis -Ave, the creation of local government area and boundary adjustment, Both issues should be determined by reference to relevant evidence and applicable law.

5. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF UBARIRA, UBINUNU AND OBAREGIN.

Okogho Community maintains that Ubinunu, Ubarira and Obaregin areas were founded by Prince Jule Atogbuwa.

These historical and customary assertions are central to Okogho Community's position concerning the disputed territory and should be considered alongside relevant historical records, customary evidence, boundary records and other admissible evidence.

Okogho Community therefore rejects any claim that, in its view, disregards or misrepresents its ancestral history and customary interests in the disputed area..

6. BOUNDARIES

Okogho Community maintains that it has no recognised common boundary with the claimant community in the disputed area, Prince Jule Atogbuwa descendants only granted a small parcel of land within the OBAREGIN Creek to Prince Ejo oki, Name mentioned as Ubapaniko has no bearing in the area and we only identifies Omadino, the descendants of NENUWA and Makaraba as neighbouring communities that share boundaries with Okogho Community in the Makaraba Oil Field axis in Warri North and Warri South-West Local Government Areas of Delta State.

7. WE CALL FOR RESTRAINT AND LAWFUL RESOLUTION

In view of the seriousness of the dispute and the importance of maintaining peace and stability among communities in Delta State, Okogho Community calls on all interested parties to exercise restraint and to avoid publications or actions that could inflame tensions or create unnecessary hostility.

Okogho Community urges all parties to refrain from making statements that could mislead the public concerning the ownership, location or boundaries of Wells 24 and 25 situated on the Ubarira / Ubinunu axis in Warri North Local Government Area.

8. OUR CONCLUSION

Okogho Community, representing the descendants of Prince Jule Atogbuwa, reiterates its position that the land within the Obaregin, Ubinunu and Ubarira axis, including the locations associated with Wells 24 and 25 of the Makaraba Oil Field, forms part of Okogho Community's ancestral territory, and that the management records of Chevron Nigeria Limited recognise this fact long ago.

The Community therefore calls on all stakeholders, traditional institutions, government authorities, security agencies and members of the public to approach this dispute with fairness, objectivity and respect for due process.

We urge all parties to avoid inflammatory statements, respect the rule of law, and allow any unresolved questions of ownership, boundaries and administrative jurisdiction to be addressed through the appropriate legal and institutional processes.

This statement is issued to clarify the position of Okogho Community, Who are the descendants of Prince Jule Atogbuwa and to promote a peaceful, lawful and evidence based resolution of the dispute.

SIGNED:

Elder Johnson Tajinere Olikiti Eden

The Olare Aja of Okogho Community

Phone No.: 08055104438

For and on behalf of Prince Jule Atogbuwa descendants: Okogho Community

Mr Johnbull ofeghareanor Ikeke.

Okogho Community secretary.

Phone No: 08073741184.

Dated: 7th November, 2026

Cc 1. His Excellency, RT, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, The Executive governor of Delta State,

2. His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, The Olu of Warri Kingdom Delta State, Nigeria.

3. The State Director, Department of State Services (DSS), Asaba, Delta State.

4. The Area Commander, Nigeria Police Force, Warri Area Command, Delta State.

5. The Chairman, Warri North Local Government Council, Delta State.

6. The Chairman, Warri South Local Government Council, Delta State.

7. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), NPF Koko Division, Warri North Local Government Area, Delta State.

8. The Commanding Officer, Nigerian Army, Koko, Delta State.

9. The Managing Director, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), No. 2 Chevron Drive, Lekki Peninsula, Lagos, Nigeria.

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