STERLING GLOBAL ACCUSED OF UNLEASHING SOLDIERS ON PROTESTERS AS OIL COMMUNITY DEMANDS WATER, ROADS, COMPENSATION
• Women allegedly injured, phones seized as soldiers disperse peaceful protesters in Mkpat Enin
Sterling Global, also known as Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company (SEEPCO), has been accused by indigenes of Ikot Inyang Okop Village in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of deploying soldiers against community members protesting alleged environmental degradation, poor road conditions, unpaid compensation and the company’s failure to provide basic amenities.
The protest, which began peacefully on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, reportedly turned chaotic after soldiers arrived at the community where residents had barricaded access to the company’s Ibiote Rig.
Community leaders and eyewitnesses alleged that military personnel deployed to the area later attacked protesters, including women, in an attempt to break up the demonstration.
The protesters accused the oil company of damaging their only access road through heavy-duty operations, polluting natural water sources and failing to fulfil promises allegedly made to the community.
Speaking before the protest turned chaotic, the Village Head of Ikot Inyang Okop, Eteidung Okon Marcus Akpakpan, said life in the community was different before the arrival of the oil company.
He said, “And when they came they promised to improve our living condition by constructing the major road that leads to the oil rig, and provide other essential amenities for the people.
“Here, we were used to riding our motorcycles and bicycles which do not deteriorate roads, until they came with their heavy duty vehicles and everything went bad as it is today. All I am saying is, I am not advocating for trouble. Rather, what the people are saying is that since they [the company] came to do their oil operations in their community, they should also be concerned about bettering the lives of the people on whose land they are carrying out these oil activities, and through which our roads and stream water are no longer useful to us.”
The traditional ruler, who said the condition of the community’s access road has made movement difficult, maintained that he had consistently called for a peaceful resolution of the issues between the community and the oil company.
The Deputy Village Head and Family Head, Chief Brown E. Ekwere, said the community resorted to peaceful protest because its only access road had become deplorable.
According to him, the community had raised concerns about the road from the beginning of the company’s operations.
He said, “When they first came into the community for their oil operations, we told them to note the state of the road at the time and ensure its proper maintenance for the convenience and usefulness of their operations and for the good of the community members.
“Also, it has been two years now since they promised provision of potable pipe-borne water for the people without keeping to their promise. As a result of their various operations in the area all natural water sources have been terribly polluted. None of their promises to this community has totally been honoured. Compensations for lands claimed from the people as right of way have not been paid.”
The Youth President of the community, Comrade Emmanuel Udoh Enoidem, said residents initially welcomed the arrival of the company but had become increasingly frustrated over what they described as the consequences of its operations.
He alleged that excavation work associated with the laying of oil pipelines had affected the community’s sources of drinking water.
“The company began the drinkable water project since 2024 and has not completed same till today. Our only major road before now was good and motorable, but due to their heavy vehicular equipment used for their Ibiote Rig operation, the road has become this visibly deplorable.
“Concerning these and unpaid compensations for additional ten metres to originally agreed fifty metres of measured right of way, and for our ancestral beehive shrine, the community has written series of letters to the company’s Iko Base Office, through the Base Manager in charge of security.
“The community is aggrieved even over the issue of grossly underpaid indigenous workers in the company, including skilled workmen. This is compared to what is paid to such categories of workers in other communities. So, as you can see, all members of the community – the royal fathers, the elderly ones, men, women, the youth – are out here for this peaceful protest.”
The Community Women Leader, Mrs. Christiana Akpan Afia, said the poor state of the access road remained the community’s most urgent concern.
She also listed potable water and compensation for lands allegedly acquired for pipeline construction among the major issues affecting the people.
“I’m also using this opportunity to appeal for creation of employment slots for qualified community members, including women, and female and male youths,” she said.
The Village Council Public Relations Officer, Chief Okoko Akpakpan, appealed to government authorities and political representatives to intervene.
“I would want this message to reach the Executive Chairman of Mkpat Enin LGC, Hon. Emmanuel Inyang; Member representing Mkpat Enin State Constituency in the AKHA, Rt. Hon. Uwem Imoh-Ita; Member representing Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo Federal Constituency in the NASS; the Senator representing Eket Senatorial District in the NASS; and the relevant authorities of Akwa Ibom State government, so that they will cause Sterling Global to take all issues of grave concern to the indigenes of Ikot Inyang Okop community as its priority.
“The way and manner they are taking their oil operation business as priority, they should also take the critical concerns of our people as such too. There is no way they will come and render the access road that was done by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) utterly impassable, pollute our natural waters with no alternative provided, and disregard the plights of the people and expect them to fold their arms and be watching.”
Residents said no senior official of the company appeared before the protesters to address their concerns during the demonstration.
A military Hilux vehicle was reportedly stationed near the barricade, while armed personnel were seen around the protest area.
The situation allegedly escalated later when additional military vehicles entered the community.
Eyewitnesses claimed that soldiers eventually moved against the protesters after gaining access to the community.
According to accounts obtained by this reporter, the protesters were allegedly attacked from behind, while a canopy providing shade for traditional rulers at the protest ground was overturned.
The eyewitnesses further alleged that several people, particularly women, sustained injuries, while some mobile phones were seized during the operation.
They also claimed that gunshots were fired sporadically as the protesters were dispersed.
The allegations have intensified anger in the oil-bearing community, with residents insisting that their protest was peaceful and centred on demands for a motorable road, potable water, compensation and greater attention to the welfare of people living in the area hosting the company’s operations.
As of the time of filing this report, Sterling Global’s response to the allegations could not be independently obtained.
