Alfred Diette-Spiff, the traditional ruler of Twon Brass in Bayelsa, hosts of Agip’s Crude Export Terminal, has fled as residents in the community hurled missiles at him.

One person was reported shot during the incident.

Residents in the community are protesting against a two-month power outage.

On Wednesday, it was learnt that Mr Diette-Spiff had addressed the protesters, urging them to leave Agip’s facility, as discussions with the oil firm to resolve the dispute continued in Port Harcourt.

The aggrieved residents, who had blocked access to the oil firm’s offices, shunned the appeal by the traditional ruler and hauled missiles at him. He was whisked away immediately to avert further violence.

Edward Edison, Youth President of Twon Brass, told NAN that the timely intervention of the youths and armed security personnel deployed to the oil firm had doused the situation. However, a 24-year old was shot in the process.

He explained that Mr Diette-Spiff had to leave the community in a hurry to avert escalation of the situation as the residents vowed to remain on Agip’s premises until power was restored.

The protests had since disrupted activities at Agip’s facility located on Brass Island, near the Atlantic coastline, as residents, comprising women, youths, and elders had, since May 14, occupied and blocked access to Agip’s operational office demanding immediate restoration of power.

Benjamin Obuala, Chairman of Twon Brass Community Development Committee, said the protesters would, however, continue to remain peaceful in their grievance over the power outage, which had persisted for over two months.

When contacted for reaction, Cioni Maririna, spokesperson for Eni, Nigeria Agip Oil Company’s parent company, declined to comment.

(NAN)