According to Vanguard, the company's Escravos Tank Farm workers were evacuated at around 4pm on Wednesday, August 10, when the protest worsened.

“An Aero plane just landed like 40 minutes back to continue evacuation of top staff from the tank farm. This is in addition to other staff, earlier evacuated with the choppers. But junior staff is not going in or out company because of the tense situation,” the newspaper quoted a security staff of the company as saying.

The aggrieved villagers, who are protesting the alleged neglect and discrimination by the multinational oil conglomerate, were said to have occupied the company's premises, saying they will not vacate the place until their demands are addressed.

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The protester reportedly blocked the main entrance, preventing access in and out of the company.