Tension in Ogoni area as detonation of expired bombs begins amidst objections from frightened community

Detonation of dynamites in a part of Ogoni in Rivers State began today, Wednesday, July 8, 2026, with tension in the area because of alleged threats and jackboots in the area.

Roads leading to the creeks, farms, streams, are said to have been blocked by stern-looking soldiers.

Messages coming from Kporghor said farmers were not allowed to go to farm while fishing activities have been allegedly stopped for the days the detonation exercise would last.

The detonation earmarked for three days began today with heavy military, police and security presence in the area.

Tension began when the police command in the state said the detonation was to be undertaken by a team of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD-CBRN) operatives of Port Harcourt, at Kporghor Community in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State.

A statement by Blessing Agabe Kaborlo, an assistant superintendent of police (ASP) and police public relations officer (PPRO) of the police command said approval was granted to Halliburton Energy Services Nigeria Limited; “To render and destroy some explosive materials in its custody, which have been examined by relevant experts and found to have expired.”

Groups reacted immediately, calling for due process, consultation of the community leaders, and conduct of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) to show that the exercise would not destroy the area.

Despite the protests, the community chiefs, youth leaders, local council officials, all were quoted to say they were not consulted. The youths were said to have particularly been warned to stay away or face arrest and detention in faraway states.

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David Npiamah, chairman, Kporghor Council of Chiefs and Elders, was quoted to have said they were not consulted.

The police statement had told the residents of Kporghor Community not to panic when loud explosions would begin, claiming that every precautionary measure had been put in place to avert any danger, but community leaders have remained apprehensive.

In an update issued today by Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, Executive Director, YEAC-Nigeria, the group said: “We at the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) have just finished speaking with the Chairman of the Kporghor Council of Chiefs and Elders. He said he is not aware that this exercise is being planned for execution in the community today. He noted that such exercises have been carried out a few times in the past, but that a three-day operation starting today through Friday, July 10, is something they are not aware of.

“I, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene, also spoke with a prominent son of the community yesterday, July 7. He said he is not aware of the current plans by Halliburton to destroy the explosive materials in the community over three consecutive days.

“He, however, confirmed that isolated destruction of explosive materials has been carried out in the community over the years. He said the company claimed to take the materials far into the creeks where they would not disturb humans and their concerns.”

He said these accounts indicate that the company has not engaged members of the community in a town hall meeting. “Instead, it rushed to the police to seek protection and facilitated the issuance of a press statement on its behalf, while neglecting members of the affected community who are to bear the impacts of the destruction of the explosive materials.”

He urged the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to resist attempts by oil companies or any other group to use it as cover when due process has not been followed.

He went on: “YEAC-Nigeria reaffirms its call for the suspension of this exercise until the right thing is done and due process is followed. The Police should not provide security for the company to detonate expired explosive materials in Kporghor community until the proper procedures have been followed. These include: consulting the community and its leadership; carrying out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA); bringing on board all relevant government agencies to supervise and oversee the process; and providing some form of compensation and relief materials for those who will suffer the environmental and health impacts of the exercise in the immediate, short, and long term in the community and its environs.”

The group said they were also monitoring situations in the community to see if the police would ignore calls and provide security for Halliburton to proceed with the expired explosive materials destruction in the community this morning of Wednesday, July 8, 2026 as communicated by the Police.

Other environment activists also said there should be an existing process on ground for detonation exercise in communities since it would be a regular occurrence. “For us to know if they’re following these processes or not, they have to respond to our fears and allegations with documents and names of government agencies responsible that they’re probably not following the due process. But in this case, the Police just issued a statement on behalf of the company and that’s all that we currently know about it. Some community members including their leaderships have said they’re not aware of this.”

The youth president, Sunday Piama, told sources that he has been warned off the matter and off the location with threats of arrest and other consequences.

It was also gathered that the local council leadership was scouting for information on the matter, an indication that the council may not have been fully carried along.