- Victims of NNPCL’s 2018 demolitions in Ilorin are demanding over ₦160 billion in compensation for 976 destroyed structures along the pipeline
- Senator Tope Ajetumobi claims NNPCL has failed to comply with a 2019 resolution requiring compensation negotiations for the affected properties
Victims whose properties were affected by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) demolition are demanding over ₦160 billion in compensation. The demolitions, which occurred in 2018 along the pipeline and Tanke Road in Ilorin, were executed to clear the pipeline’s right-of-way.
The victims claim that the Nigerian Army engineers destroyed 976 structures under the directive of NNPCL. Tope Ajetumobi, representing the affected individuals, stated that the House of Representatives Public Petitions Committee passed a resolution in 2019 requiring NNPCL to assess the value of the damaged properties and negotiate compensation with the victims. However, Ajetumobi alleges that NNPCL has failed to comply with this resolution.
Ajetumobi reported that despite multiple invitations from the House of Representatives, including those for inspections and hearings, NNPCL only honoured a few. The issue was also raised with the Speaker of the 9th Assembly, Femi Gbajabiamila, and again with the current Speaker of the 10th Assembly, Tajudeen Abass, but NNPCL reportedly did not attend the hearings.
The victims have now appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure they receive compensation of ₦160.75 billion.
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