Oil spill: Governor Oborevwori Orders Clean-up, Medical Help for Delta Communities

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has ordered immediate medical intervention and urgent measures to tackle the devastating impact of the oil spill along the Trans-Forcados pipeline, saying the state government would not allow affected communities to suffer unnecessarily.
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Oborevwori, who spoke during an inspection visit to Odidi community, Warri South-West Local Government Area, on Tuesday, directed the State Commissioner for Health to “immediately deploy medical teams to affected communities to assess residents and determine the health implications of the pollution.”

The governor was accompanied by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor; Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale; Commander, 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Asaba, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Buhari; Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship Delta, Warri, Commodore Shehu Tasiu; Commander, 3144 Operating Base, Nigerian Air Force, Warri, Group Capt. Charles Abara; State Director of the Department of State Services, Dr Peter Afunanya; and other senior government officials.

Saying the situation had become too serious to be treated casually, the governor declared, “We have to take this matter seriously. Once you see what is happening, you realise that it is a very big issue. We don’t want our people dying at this time. We cannot afford to lose our focus or waste time. We have to act quickly and decisively.”

Oborevwori said the intervention would go beyond the distribution of relief materials, stressing that residents must be medically examined because of the possible health consequences of prolonged exposure to pollution.

He also directed Heritage Energy to deploy a medical team and provide relief materials, saying the medical teams would visit the affected communities, assess the environmental and health impact and determine appropriate intervention. He added that the exercise would cover other areas affected by the incident.

The governor also demanded genuine dialogue between the oil operator and host communities, saying meaningful engagement was necessary to resolve the crisis and prevent further tension.

He assured the communities that his administration would continue to engage the relevant stakeholders until their concerns were addressed, while commending the security agencies for maintaining peace during the intervention.

Addressing the affected residents, Oborevwori noted with concern that “while an initial assessment showed that about 86 communities were affected, the number had now risen to 216.”

He said the operating company had assured the government that the technical process would be concluded and that the clean-up would be completed before the end of October, after which the affected communities would be engaged on compensation and other measures.

The governor warned that commitments made by the company must be honoured, saying the government would take necessary steps to ensure compliance.

He, however, appealed to the communities to remain peaceful and law-abiding, stressing that the government would pursue the matter through dialogue and due process.

Oborevwori lamented that the pollution had severely affected fishing, the major source of livelihood for many residents, resulting in scarcity and increased prices of fish.

He stressed that the crisis was not merely about compensation, but about restoring the environment, protecting human lives and safeguarding the livelihoods of the affected people.

Speaking further, the governor approved the construction of a landing jetty for Odidi community and directed the Chairman of Warri South-West Local Government Area to build a modern health centre for the community.

Oborevwori also directed the Commissioners for Oil and Gas, Chief Peter Uviejitobor, and Environment, Moses Ogodo, to monitor the timeline for the implementation of his directives to the oil company and report back to him.

Meanwhile, the General Manager, Operations Integrity, Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited, Nelson Wilbert, assured that the company was committed to working with the state government, host communities, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and other stakeholders to resolve the crisis.

Wilbert said the immediate priority was to complete the ongoing technical operations, including installation, stopping the spill and pressure testing, required to safely restore normal operations.

Delta Governor Oborevwori

He added that the company would work with regulatory authorities and affected communities to assess the environmental damage, clean up impacted areas and provide appropriate compensation.

The President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Dr Doubra Okotete, called for urgent action to halt the pollution, alleging that crude was still being pumped through leaking pipelines.

Okotete urged the authorities and oil operators to undertake comprehensive remediation and compensate affected residents, while calling for increased medical support, particularly for residents suffering from respiratory problems.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Odidi Community, Truston Gbenekama, thanked the governor for the visit and appealed for a landing jetty, health centre, potable water and environmental reclamation of the community.
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NCAA: Passenger Dies on Kenya Airways Flight to Lagos

Apassenger on a Kenya Airways flight from Nairobi to Lagos has died after reportedly becoming unresponsive shortly before the aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.
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The incident occurred on Tuesday night, with the passenger reportedly becoming unresponsive about 20 minutes before the aircraft was scheduled to land.

Kenya Airways, in a statement on Wednesday, said its crew immediately responded to the medical emergency by administering first aid and following established procedures.

The airline said the aircraft landed in Lagos at 9:41pm and was met by medical personnel, who confirmed that the passenger had died.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority said the police had taken over the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, said the passenger had reportedly been picked up from Madagascar after customs authorities denied him entry into the country.

According to Achimugu, Kenya Airways was required to return the passenger as the airline that had brought him into the country.

He said the passenger became restless and aggressive during the flight, allegedly attempting to gain access to the cockpit before later trying to open the rear door of the aircraft.

Achimugu said the passenger was restrained, with his hands tied behind his back, to prevent further disruption and protect other passengers and crew.

“When he got into the aircraft, he became restless and aggressive inside the aircraft, wanted to enter the cockpit and later wanted to open the rear door, but was later tied down.

“His hands were tied to his back to ensure that he stopped the troubles,” he said.

He said the passenger was declared dead after the aircraft landed in Lagos.

“But when he got to Nigeria, he was declared dead on arrival. I don’t want to preempt the police investigation, but they have taken it over for now,” Achimugu said.

He added that the deceased’s family could request an autopsy as investigations continue.

The Airport Command of the Nigeria Police Force also confirmed the incident, saying the deceased’s body had been deposited at a morgue in Ikeja.

The command’s spokesperson, Muhammed Adeola, said police had taken statements from members of the flight crew, including the captain.

Kenya

“Yes, it’s true, and investigations have commenced. It’s an issue of an inadmissible passenger, and the said complications arose on their way back. He was unable to breathe, and medical officers were alerted before the aircraft landed. However, upon landing, he was confirmed to have died.

“His body is at a morgue in Ikeja for further investigation.”

Kenya Airways expressed condolences to the passenger’s family and friends, saying it was working with the family, local authorities and aviation regulators.

The airline said it was respecting the privacy and dignity of those involved while providing necessary support to the family as investigations continue.
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DECAN Mourns 25 Victims of Tragic NAF Aircraft Crash in Ondo

The Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) has received with profound shock and deep sadness the tragic news of the air crash involving a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft in Ondo State on Monday, October 6, 2026, which claimed the lives of 25 persons.
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As a strategic partner of the Nigerian Armed Forces and a professional body whose members work closely with the military in reporting the nation’s defence and security affairs, DECAN is deeply traumatized by this tragic incident and the enormous loss of lives.

Our hearts go out to the families, friends and colleagues of the victims at this incredibly difficult moment. No words can adequately capture the pain of losing loved ones, especially in such sudden and tragic circumstances.

We also commiserate with the Nigerian Air Force, the Chief of the Air Staff, officers and airmen, as well as the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria, over this painful loss. The incident is not only a loss to the NAF but a profound national tragedy, given the sacrifices routinely made by our men and women in uniform in the service of the nation.

DECAN acknowledges the courage, dedication and sacrifices of the personnel of the Nigerian Air Force who continue to undertake demanding operations in defence of Nigeria, often under difficult and hazardous conditions.

At this moment of grief, we urge Nigerians to respect the dignity and privacy of the bereaved families and allow the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. We also appeal for restraint against the circulation of unverified information, graphic materials and speculative narratives that could compound the anguish of the families and the wider military community.

NAF Aircraft

As journalists who cover the Armed Forces, we understand the weight of the responsibility that comes with reporting tragedies of this nature. DECAN therefore reaffirms its commitment to responsible, accurate, compassionate and professional journalism, particularly in moments of national crisis.

We pray that God Almighty grants the families of the deceased the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss, and grants eternal rest to the souls of the departed.

Signed,

Odita Sunday
(President).

October 7, 2026.
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