Nigeria Oil Production Threatened as Warri Delineation Protest Shuts Down 13 Flow Stations, Faces 400,000bpd Loss

Nigeria’s crude oil production has suffered a major disruption following the shutdown of 13 oil flow stations in Delta State by protesting women and youths demanding the immediate implementation of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ward delineation report for Warri Federal Constituency.

The protest, which affected facilities operated by major energy companies including the Shell Petroleum Development Company, Chevron Nigeria Limited and Nestoil/NECONDE, is estimated to have halted the production of approximately 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day, raising concerns over potential economic consequences for the nation.

Industry sources disclosed that the affected facilities include Odidi 1 and 2, Batan, Ogbanabou, Jones Creek, Otunana, Egwa 1 and 2, Abiteye, Makaraba, Olero Creek, Dibi Field and Opuekeba flow stations.

The facilities were reportedly occupied by hundreds of women and youths drawn from Gbaramatu, Ogbe-Ijoh, Isaba, Egbema and Diebiri Kingdoms within Warri Federal Constituency, comprising Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North Local Government Areas of Delta State.

Sources indicated that the protesters took control of the facilities after forcing out security personnel and workers, while also blocking logistics and supply operations through key waterways servicing the oil companies.

The demonstrators, predominantly of Ijaw extraction, said their action was in protest against the alleged delay in implementing the recently concluded ward and polling unit delineation exercise approved by INEC following a Supreme Court judgment.

They accused certain interests of attempting to frustrate the implementation of the report, which they insist was lawfully conducted by the electoral commission to address long-standing issues surrounding political representation in Warri Federal Constituency.

The shutdown came less than 24 hours after Ijaw and Urhobo stakeholders reportedly issued a warning that oil production could be disrupted if INEC failed to implement the final delineation report.

Protesters carried placards bearing inscriptions such as: “INEC: Implement Warri Delineation Report,” “Court Ordered Judgment on Wards and Polling Units Delineation,” and “No Implementation, No Production.”

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Chief (Mrs.) Maria Ebike accused INEC of delaying implementation despite concluding consultations and presenting its final report to stakeholders.

“We have waited patiently for the authorities to do the right thing. Since they continue to ignore our voices, we have no option but to demand justice through peaceful protest. No implementation of the ward delineation, no oil production,” she declared.

Ebike further alleged that powerful interests were working behind the scenes to frustrate the implementation of the report, which she described as critical to ensuring fairness, equity and adequate representation for communities in the constituency.

The controversy stems from a Supreme Court judgment delivered in 2022 directing INEC to conduct a fresh delineation of wards and polling units in Warri Federal Constituency.

Following the judgment, INEC carried out the exercise and formally presented its final report to stakeholders in Asaba on May 20, 2026.

However, the implementation phase has generated fresh tensions among Ijaw, Urhobo and Itsekiri stakeholders, with accusations and counter-accusations over alleged attempts to influence or delay the process.

A prolonged uncertainty surrounding the delineation exercise could heighten tensions in the oil-rich region and further impact Nigeria’s crude oil output at a time when the country is seeking to boost production and increase revenue.