Text of press release issued 13 August 2001 by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, regarding the death of a Nigerian youth reportedly shot on 9 August 2001 by police accompanying a Shell crew repairing an oil leak:

THE SHELL PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY OF NIGERIA LIMITED.

   Press Release

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria is saddened to learn of the death of a youth from Aguobiri community in Bayelsa State, as a result of injuries he sustained following a confrontation between some youths from the community and policemen assigned to accompany our oil spill emergency response team to investigate a spill near the village of Aguobiri on August 9, 2001.

We understand that the injuries occurred during a scuffle when the youth attempted to disarm one of the policemen.  Whilst the police are investigating the matter, SPDC would like to extend its deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of the deceased and the Aguobiri community over this very sad loss.

We have seen some accounts of the story, which inaccurately represent SPDC's involvement in the incident.  We feel that it would be right to set the record straight.

On July 28, a number of oil spills were reported on SPDC's 16-inch Nun River-Kolo Creek Trunkline at Aguobiri.  As statutorily required, a joint investigation team (JIT) comprising representatives of SPDC, Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment, DPR and FEPA visited the leak points on August 1 2001 to ascertain the cause of the spill.

Following the investigation, and with agreement from the community, a repair contractor, Deck Oil, was mobilised to site.  The contractor successfully clamped two out of three links.  But following threats by community youths, the team was stopped from continuing with the third leak repair.  While efforts were being made to resolve this disagreement, another leak was reported at the neighbouring Igeibiri community, along the same trunkline.

Concerned about the potential threat to the environment posed by such unattended spills, SPDC continued to press for dialogue with the communities.  It finally received their go-ahead to resume the clamping and clean up activities at Aguobiri and re-mobilised its crew for the repair work.

However, as a result of specific threats to the lives of members of the spill response crew, a small team of Nigerian policemen was detailed to accompany them to work.  On arrival at Aguobiri, the team called on the local leaders, held further discussions with them and proceeded to the leak site to commence repairs.  As this was going on, some youths from the community armed with dangerous weapons arrived the worksite and attempted to violently force the crew out.  The mobile policemen in the team tried to intervene and make peace but one of the youths moved towards a policeman in an attempt to disarm him.  In the scuffle that ensued between the mobile policeman and the youth, there was a gunshot and the youth fell down.  A report from the Police Headquarters in Yenagoa later confirmed the youth dead. 

We feel very saddened by this unnecessary loss of life and will fully co-operate with the police in their on-going investigation.

............................

Precious Omuku

Corporate External Relations Manager