Delta Community Faults Attempt to Shut Down Kalm Oil Operations, Warns Alleged Impostors 

By Doubra Diafa

The Leadership and people of Izansa, Ijelejele, and Ikeremor community in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State have issued a strong worded statement condemning the recent protest and attempt by the alleged chairman of Ugbanabou Community, Mr Alex Ebi Fenimine, Pst. Benjamin K. Lude, and a group of others to disrupt the operations of Kalm Marine and Petroleum Services Limited.

In a statement released and signed by Hon. Johnbull Aniyanghan (chairman caretaker committee), Stephen Senne (Vice chairman), Moses Izoukumor (Secretary, caretaker committee), Chief Micheal Akoubodo (Leader), Mr. Chief Richard Inaikpo Evene (Elder) of Izansa, Ijelejele, and Ikeremor community on Thursday July 31, 2025, refuted claims of land ownership being made in the name of so-called Ogbanabou Federated Community in Diebiri Clan, describing it as a non-existent and fictitious entity, stressing that that there was no community know as Ugbanabou anywhere in Delta State or Nigeria. The statement read, “such false claims were dangerous to the peace and stability of the State”.

According to the community, on a recent date, the duo led an incursion into the company’s operational site using five speedboats, each equipped with 200-horsepower engines and carrying over 100 persons, adding that the group allegedly attempted to forcefully shut down operations of Kalm Oil. However, the presence of military personnel on the site reportedly deterred what could have escalated into a serious security breach -they noted.

In the statement released to the press, the community expressed shock over the incident and vowed not to allow such alleged criminal activities to be swept under the carpet. The leadership maintained that the land on which Kalm Marine operates belongs exclusively to the Izansa, Ijelejele, Ikeremor Community, stressing that the company was granted full permission to operate following proper documentation and agreements with the community leadership.

They emphasised that the Ogbanabou land where the company operates falls under Izanzabou, an area historically owned and founded by their ancestor, Apribodo, whose lineage predates any known settlement in that area. As such, the community believed that the recent claims by Fenimine and Lude were driven purely by selfish interests and an attempt to exploit the company for personal gain.

The community leadership issued a stern warning to both individuals and any others acting under similar pretense to immediately desist from writing letters of threat or making further attempts to disrupt the company’s operations. They urged Kalm Marine to completely disregard any communication from such parties and to report any future interference to law enforcement agencies.

Furthermore, the leadership directed that any future matters involving the company’s operations on their land must go through the duly constituted Executive Council of the community.

The law does not recognize or protect impostors, the statement concluded. “We stand with Kalm Marine and Petroleum Services Limited and will continue to support its peaceful operations on our communal land”

However, the statement signals the community’s firm stance on preserving the peace and protecting legitimate business operations within its territory.