Joseph Chibu
The Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command (FOC WNC), Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, GSS, mni, on Thursday, 12 November 2026, facilitated a stakeholders’ engagement between representatives of GOEPLEX DRILLTEQ Limited and community leaders of Eba Island to promote reconciliation and peaceful resolution of their lingering differences.
Present at the meeting were the Chief Staff Officer WNC, R Adm NC Ekwom, Commander Naval Base EPE, Navy Captain LD Deyin, Principal Staff Officers of WNC, representatives of Geoplex Drillteq Ltd, Group Executive Director, Johnson Shorinwa, Makun-Omi Community, Ogun State Permsec Town Planning Mr Talabi Olamide Rufus and the Atijere Community, HRM Oba (Dr) Samuel O. Adeoye, Edema 3rd, the Molokun of Atijere Kingdom among others, held at Headquarters Western Naval Command (HQ WNC), Apapa, Lagos.
The engagement provided a platform for constructive dialogue aimed at clarifying concerns, rebuilding mutual understanding and identifying lasting solutions to their differences regarding the ongoing oil exploration on the Eba Island by Geoplex Drillteq Ltd.
Welcoming the stakeholders on behalf of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, Admiralty Medal, the FOC emphasised the importance of sustaining peace and stability in the South-West region particularly, the Eba Island.
He urged both parties to embrace dialogue, mutual respect and compromise, stressing that disagreements should not undermine peaceful coexistence, community development and the ongoing oil exploration on the Eba Island.
Rear Admiral Mustapha also reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to promoting security through constructive stakeholder engagement, conflict prevention/resolution and stronger relationships between corporate organisations and their host communities.
He encouraged the Company and community leaders to demonstrate sincerity and remain open to mutually acceptable solutions, including independent measures to address suspicious and lingering concerns on the Eba Island.
After every representative stated their positions, the engagement concluded with a renewed commitment to reconciliation and continued dialogue. It was agreed that Geoplex Drillteq Ltd should meet Ogun State Government with a view to recognizing Atijere community as a stakeholder of the ongoing oil exploration on the Eba Island.
The meeting further underscored the Command’s dedication to strengthening civil-military relations, building community confidence and sustaining a peaceful environment conducive for socio-economic activities and development to thrive within its Area of Responsibility.