Traditional rulers in Akwa Ibom has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to look into the issue of unpaid oil spill compensation by Exxon Mobil which has led to the kidnap of one of their members, His Royal Majesty Edidem Ubong Peter Assam, the paramount ruler of Esit Eket local government area of the state.

In the petition addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari signed by the paramount rulers of Itu, HRM,Dr Edet Akpan Inyang, paramount ruler of Ikot Ekpene, HRM, Okuku Cosmas O Akpan and HRM, Offong Odiong Akan, paramount ruler of Oron and made available to newsmen yesterday in Uyo, the royal fathers decried the action of Exxon Mobil over  the oil spill which emanated from its facilities in Ibeno.

They alleged that instead of commencing payment of compensation and clean-up of the affected communities, Mobil embarked on palliative measures to assuage the people by giving minor contract to persons close to its officials.

Such they said, include water borehole, renovation of classroom blocks which ought to be their corporate social responsibility.

The royal fathers said that due to the divide and rule principle of the oil giant, community leaders have been exposed to all manner of accusations, attack and series of kidnapping which led to the recent kidnap of the paramount ruler of Esit Eket, HRM Edidem Ubong Peters, his wife and four children in the belief that the traditional ruler had collected money from Exxon Mobil.