Bayelsa suspends oil firm’s land acquisition over fatal community dispute – EnviroNews

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The Bayelsa State Government has directed the operator of Oil Mining Lease 29 (OML 29) to suspend all land acquisition activities in Brass Local Government Area (LGA),

The directive was given following a violent land dispute that claimed one life.

OML 29 is operated by Nembe Exploration and Production.

The company was formerly known as Aiteo Exploration and Production Company, an indigenous oil firm, that acquired the oil block, following Shell’s divestment in 2014.

This is contained in a statement by Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, issued to newsmen on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, in Yenogoa, the state capital.

She however said the police had restored peace in the affected area.

According to her, the dispute involved Dieama and Okpoama communities and resulted in several persons sustaining severe injuries.

The commisioner said Gov. Douye Diri had directed the oil firm to stop all land acquisition activities and processes, until further notice.

She added that the governor had also urged communities involved, particularly their youths, to maintain peace and avoid actions capable of escalating the dispute.

The commissioner said government had restated  its commitment in ensuring a peaceful resolution of the crisis, while appealing to all parties to cooperate with efforts to restore lasting peace in the affected communities.

By Nathan Nwakamma