BREAKING: Odidi, Kantu Give 48-Hour Ultimatum to Heritage to Shut Down Operations Over Oil Spill

•Call on President Tinubu, Delta govt, NOSDRA, DPR, Others to Take Action

By Monday Peters, Abuja

Following a protracted oil spill in the OML 42 and OML 30, aggrieved women of the Odidi and Kantu Federated Communities in Warri South West have given Heritage Energy Limited, operating in OML 42 and OML 30 a 48-hour ultimatum to shut down operations to avoid fire explosion and following the excruciating pains inflincted on residents in the affected oil host communities.

This was contained in a joint press release signed by Mrs Success Egebor Chairlady Odidi Rural Women and Mrs Ebi Larryson representatives for the Odidi Community and Vivian Eyiangho – Women Leader, Victoria Odumu Eyiangho – Secretary, Elizabeth Osinwaye – PRO for Kantu Federated Community.

According to the women, the spill occurred since 19th February 2026, adding that after about five months, the authorities including Heritage, DPR, NOSDRA, Upstream and Down Streams have not made any meaningful efforts to clean up the affected areas.

The communities emphasised that the shutdown demand is driven by safety concerns arising from a protest in the area on Thursday June 26, 2026. According to them, “oil flames and spill contents” are spreading toward residential areas, raising fears of a major fire outbreak that could destroy homes and oil facilities.

“The ultimatum is for the safety of the oil facilities, homes, and communities as the situation could lead to a serious fire outbreak,” the statement read.

They insisted that operations should remain shut until a proper cleanup and repair exercise is carried out to prioritize host communities safety. The angry women warned that failure to comply will trigger further protests.

The communities also raised alarm over worsening health conditions. They said a woman from the area Mrs Juliet Wanghan has been hospitalized after inhaling fumes from the spill, adding that similar incident in the area in 2019 killed two children.

Residents decry the high level of pollution in the waterways, which they rely on for drinking, cooking, washing, and bathing, saying it is now unusable. “Since the spill on 19th February 2026, we pass through hell,” one resident said.

The aggrieved women said the spill has “completely damaged” fishing nets and traps, leaving families without income. Leaders warned of “growing hunger among residents and victims of the spill.”

The communities further accused the operating firm of silence, saying: “Despite the suffering of the communities, no relief efforts have been made by companies operating in the area.”

Therefore, both communities have called on the president Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governor of Delta State, elder Sheriff Oborevwori, and Spill Regulatory Agencies to prevail on the management of Heritage Energy Limited to comply with the host communities directives to avoid conflicts and to prioritize the communities safety.

However, efforts to reach the management of the oil firm for comments was abortive, as the company officials were not responding to calls at press time.