Law enforcement detains four young men from Akwa Ibom following reported destruction of property at Seplat facility

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has taken four youths from the Ibeno community into custody, accusing them of vandalism at the Seplat Energy facility in Mkpanak Village, Ibeno Local Government Area, an allegation the community leaders and youths strongly dispute, claiming instead that the incident occurred during a peaceful protest where police allegedly fired at protesters, injuring one and arresting four others.

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According to Commissioner of Police Baba Mohammed Azare, the police were alerted to the situation through a distress call from Seplat Energy's security control room, reporting that a group of youths, purportedly led by James Eshiet, had vandalized the company's signpost and attempted to force their way into the facility.

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On March 11, at approximately 12:00 hours, the police received the distress call, prompting them to mobilize to the scene, where they found the company's signpost had been destroyed, Azare explained, adding that the group resisted arrest and attempted to obstruct police operations.

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Through a coordinated response, police successfully apprehended four suspects: Prince Afaiko, 48, Emmanuel Okpolo, 36, Daniel Christopher, 32, and Effiong Effiong, 39, all from Mkpanak Village, with surveillance teams currently tracking the alleged ringleader and other suspects who fled the scene.

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Azare warned youth groups against taking the law into their own hands, urging them to channel grievances through lawful means, stating that anyone found engaging in vandalism, violence, or sabotage would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

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Secretary of the Ibeno Clan Council, Chief Udofia Okon Udofia, countered the police account, blaming the oil company and the police for the escalation of the incident, which he said began as a protest by Ibeno youths over the alleged removal of the community's name from the company's signpost after Seplat Energy acquired assets from Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited in December 2024.

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Udofia explained that the dispute started when a new signpost installed by the company excluded the name "Ibeno," which had appeared on the previous sign, and was further heightened by a "Caveat Emptor, Eket" sign installed at the site by Dr. Samuel Udonsak, President-General of the Ekid People's Union.

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Ibeno and neighboring Eket communities have long-standing disputes over host community rights related to oil company operations, with Udofia stating that youths from the Ijaw Youth Council and the Ibeno Youth Forum had written to Seplat management but received no response.

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After waiting over a month without feedback, the youths decided to pull down the Seplat signpost, Udofia said, alleging that security personnel attempted to stop them and later invited the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Felix Ekpoudom, who ordered their arrest.

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Udofia claimed that police officers opened fire on the unarmed protesters, leaving one youth injured, while four others were arrested and taken to the State Police Headquarters in Uyo, also alleging that attempts by the Paramount Ruler of Ibeno, HRM Ovong Achianga, to intervene were rejected by the Divisional Police Officer.

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Udofia questioned how a "Caveat Emptor" sign erected by people from Eket in Ibeno territory could lead to the removal of the community's name from Seplat's signpost, stating that for decades, Ibeno youths have cooperated with oil companies and provided a peaceful environment for their operations, and that the claim they are troublemakers is unfounded.