By Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
THE National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has attributed a fresh oil spill in the Kpean Community of Khana Local Government Area, Rivers State, to sabotage, vowing that the Federal Government will bring those responsible to justice.
Ribadu made the remarks during a visit to the spill site, accompanied by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, senior NNPC officials, the Director-General of NOSDRA, and leading Ogoni figures, including traditional rulers and local council chairmen.
The delegation had earlier called on Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, at the Government House in Port Harcourt, conveying President Bola Tinubu’s commendation for the governor’s leadership and his coordination of discussions on proposed oil exploration in Ogoniland.
Speaking to journalists after assessing the damage, Ribadu described the incident as extensive, unfortunate, and terrible.
“We have all seen how extensive the spill is; it’s terrible and unfortunate. It is something that anyone who sees it will feel truly appalled,” he said.
“The sad part is that this is sabotage on an oil well that has not been operational for over 30 years. Some selfish people, enemies of the community, have damaged it in the hope of stealing. The destruction they cause is terrible, and we are deeply concerned.
“This team is here directly on the instruction of Mr. President. We have assessed the damage and must take action. You have seen all the assets mobilised to contain this incident, which has now been stopped. The recovery operation is ongoing.
“We are engaging closely with the Ogoni people. Everything we are doing is community-driven. We are putting the community first, managing this by listening to them and taking direction from them.”
Ribadu reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment and sincerity in addressing the demands of the Ogoni people and confirmed preparations for the resumption of oil production in the area.
He appealed to residents to collaborate with the government in dialogue and the process of re-entering Ogoniland.
“Another thing the Federal Government has done fairly well is addressing the issues on the ground and responding to the community’s needs. Since our arrival, we have visited the newly established Federal University of Environment, health clinics, and several other federal projects, including the Centre of Excellence.
“A new chapter has opened for Ogoniland. We appeal to the people: let us work together for the common good. We must not allow a few selfish individuals to cause such extensive damage.”
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Bashir Ojulare, expressed satisfaction with the level of local acceptance and support for the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland. He regretted the spill and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the Ogoni dialogue process, focusing on community development. He also announced plans to employ 30 Ogoni indigenes.
Ojulare stated that a second Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) would be conducted to assess the damage fully and plan remediation.
“The first part of the JIV was conducted when the flow rate was still very high and the environment less safe. Now conditions have calmed, a proper assessment will be done,” he said.
“The good news is that the Ogoni people have welcomed our teams to re-enter and begin work. Our first step will be an asset integrity assessment to check all locations, after which we will plan securing and remediating these assets to achieve safe production at the earliest opportunity.”
Environment Minister Balarabe Lawal noted that the Ogoni clean-up remains a top priority for the government and vowed that the perpetrators of the latest spill would not go unpunished.
Earlier, while receiving the delegation, Governor Siminalayi Fubara thanked President Tinubu for his intervention in Rivers State, describing it as the action of a leader who genuinely cares for the people.
The governor stated that resolving a crisis that lingered for over three decades in Ogoniland was no easy task.
He highlighted that, with the President’s intervention on road infrastructure, residents can now travel with ease along both sides of the East–West Road, connecting Bonny and Bayelsa.
Governor Fubara emphasised that beyond physical infrastructure, the President’s administration is rebuilding confidence in the state and the Niger Delta region. He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the peace process, noting that development cannot thrive in an atmosphere of crisis.
He appealed to Ogoni leaders to engage with local youths to allow oil facility operators access to repair faulty equipment and prevent further spills while environmental restoration continues.
Stonix News reports that the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, was conferred with the chieftaincy title of “Mene Sulenunua” (meaning “The King who attracts good things to the area”) by the Kpean Traditional Rulers Council, in recognition of his efforts to promote peace and development in the region.
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