By Enaibo Asiayei
The leadership of Izansa/Ijelejele/Ikeremor Community in Warri South West Government Area of Delta State has raised alarm over what they describe as an “unlawful and violent attempt” to disrupt the operations of Kalm Marine and Petroleum Services Limited by a group allegedly led by Alex Ebi Fenimine and Pastor Benjamin K. Lude.
In a letter addressed to the management of the company, the community leaders alleged that the suspects arrived at the company’s operational site in a coordinated manner aboard five speedboats fitted with 200 horsepower engines, carrying over 100 individuals.
The group allegedly made an attempt to forcefully shut down the company’s activities, but were stopped by security personnel stationed at the site.
According to the letter signed by Hon. Johnbull Aniyanghan (Chairman), Mr. Moses Izoukumor (Secretary), Chief Michael Akoubodo (Leader), Mr. Stephen Senne (Vice Chairman), and Chief Richard Inaikpo Evene (Elder), the community expressed shock over the development and warned that such actions could disrupt the existing peace in the area.
The leaders further dismissed claims by Fenimine and Lude who are said to be acting under a non-existent entity called the “Ogbanabou Federated Communities-Diebri Clan.” They emphasized that the land where Kalm Marine is operating rightfully belongs to the Izansa/Ijelejele/Ikeremor Community and not to any other group.
“We categorically state that there is no community by the name Ogbanabou Federated Communities-Diebri Clan in Delta State or elsewhere. The land on which your company operates was given in good faith by our community through proper documentation,” the letter read in part.
The leadership urged the management of Kalm Marine not to engage with the individuals or the purported group, calling instead for all matters related to company operations to be handled through the community’s constituted executive council.
They also called on law enforcement authorities to take appropriate action if further attempts are made to disrupt company operations.
Read the full statement below:
The Managing Director,
Kalm Marine and Petroleum Services Limited,
KM 5, NPA Expressway,
Ekpan-Warri,
Delta State.
Dear Sir,
RE: ATTEMPT TO FORCEFULLY SHUTDOWN OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF KALM MARINE AND PETROLEUM SERVICES LIMITED IN IZANSA/ IJELEJELE/IKEREMOR COMMUNAL LAND BY ALEX EBI FENIMINE, PST. BENJAMIN K. LUDE AND OTHERS.
1. The attention of the Leadership and people of Izansa/Ijelejele/Ikeremor Community has been drawn to the criminal activities of Alex Ebi Fenimine, Pst. Benjamin K. Lude and others when they, in a war like manner, came to the Operational Site of your Company with five (5) speed boats fitted with 200 HP engines each and loaded with over 100 (One Hundred) persons and forcefully attempted to shut down the operations of your Company, but for the presence of soldiers in the operational site. We received this information with deep shock and resolved that the issue will not be swept under the carpet, with a view to avoiding a reoccurrence.
2. Upon enquiry, it was revealed that several letters have been written to your Company on a false claim of ownership by Alex Ebi Fenimine and Pst. Benjamin K. Lude in the name of a non-existing “Ogbanabou Federated Communities-Diebri Clan”, over our Communal Land which our Community gave your Company permission and freedom to operate after entering into documentations. Therefore the Leadership of the Community is surprised that the attention of the Community was not drawn to the said letters until the recent press release dated the 26th day of June, 2025 and the unprovoked attack on your Company.
3. We state categorically that the Land on which your Company is carrying out its operations belongs exclusively to the Izansa/Ijelejele/Ikeremor Community. We state without any fear of contradiction and equivocation that
there is no Community known as “Ogbanabou Federated Communities-Diebri Clan” anywhere in Delta State or elsewhere and that the claim of ownership by Alex Ebi Fenimine and Pst. Benjamin K. Lude over our Communal Land in the name of a non-existing entity is inimical to peace and should be checked by Law Enforcement Agencies.
4. Let it be known that Ogbanabou Land where your Company operates is within Izanzabou which is part of the large expanse of Land founded by our ancestor, Apribodo at a time beyond human memory and there was no other human being in that area at the time, according to history. It is therefore unthinkable that they will lay claim to ownership of Ogbanabou Land. Their ulterior motive is basically to benefit from the operation of your Company and further to cause a breakdown of Law and Order in our peaceful Community.
5. As Landlords and Host Community to your operational facilities, we state again that there is no Community known as “Ogbanabou Federated Communities-Diebri Clan” and that the Land on which your Company operates is exclusively that of the Izansa/Ijelejele/Ikeremor Community and not an inch of the Land belongs to the non-existing Ogbanabou Federated Communities-Diebri Clan or any other person or Community. We therefore request as follows:
That any further attempt to forcefully stop your Company from operations by Alex Ebi Fenimine and Pst. Benjamin K. Lude, their agents and privies or and any other person should be resisted in a proportionate manner.
That any other attempt to forcefully stop your Company from operations by Alex Ebi Fenimine and Pst. Benjamin K. Lude, their agents and privies or and any other person should be reported to Law Enforcement Agencies for purpose of investigation and if found wanting should be made to face the wrath of the Law.
That any other attempt to forcefully stop your Company operations by Alex Ebi Fenimine and Pst. Benjamin K. Lude or any other person either physically or through letters should be made known to Izansa/ Ijelejele/Ikeremor Community.
That your Company should not and should never have any dealing with Alex Ebi Fenimine and Pst. Benjamin K. Lude and/or the non-existing “Ogbanabou Federated Communities-Diebri Clan” or any other person in whatever name in respect of your Company’s operation in our Land.
That all matters and issues in relation to your Company’s operation in our Communal Land should be discussed and had with the Community through the Constituted Executive Council and Leaders.
6. We use this medium to warn Alex Ebi Fenimine and Pst. Benjamin K. Lude that are parading in the name of the non-existing entity; Ogbanabou Federated Communities-Diebri Clan to desist henceforth from writing warning letters to and/or attempting to physically shut down the operations of Kalm Marine and Petroleum Services Limited. Note that the Law does not respect its breakers.
7. We thank the Management of your Company for informing us about this recent development and the Leadership and people of your Host Community identifies with your Company at this time as always.
