Warriors alleged to be from Kogi State in North-Central Nigeria have invaded the neighbouring Aguleri community in the South-East state of Anambra, destroying the multi-million Orient Oil & Gas refinery in an unprovoked attack.

An Aguleri youth leader, Comrade Innocent Nduanya, first alerted News Express to the destruction of the refinery commissioned in late August 2012 by President Goodluck Jonathan to usher Anambra into the league of oil-producing states. A top Anambra State government official confirmed the attack to News Express, which had in the past drawn the federal government’s attention to the deadly communal dispute over the land where the oil facilities are located.

A written statement by Nduanya, who is the Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Anambra State Chapter, reads as follows:

“This is to inform ALL Nigerians that the people of Ibaji in Kogi State have renewed their destructive and state-sponsored aggression again by attacking Orient Oil & Gas Facilities in Aguleri, Anambra East LG of Anambra State on Monday the 3rd day of March 2014.

“The attacks on Orient Oil which destroyed most of the Plants heavy equipment was carried out in full broad daylight while the police officers posted to protect the plant looked the other way. The staff quarters of Orient Oil were also burnt by the invaders.

“Information reaching us has it that the police officers mostly of Kogi State origins were complaining of neglect by the Police authorities since they were posted to protect the Oil Company.

“We appeal to both Anambra State and the Federal Govt to protect the oil facilities and stop the madness from Kogi State. This latest attack is seen as an act of provocation to the people of Aguleri whose son Chief Willie Obiano would take over the leadership of Anambra State from Gov Peter Obi on the 17th of March 2014. We do not want these criminal hoodlums of Boko Haram to enter our village. We therefore call on President Jonathan CFR to restrain Gov Idris Wada of Kogi State and send more detribalised military presence in the affected area.”

•Photo shows President Jonathan (middle) on the day he commissioned Orient Refinery in August 2012.

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