Metro

Bayelsa Communities Panic Over Shell’s Alleged Gas Flare Plan

Published

1 year ago

January 23, 2024

Residents of Gbarantoru and neighbouring communities in the Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have raised the alarm over alleged preparations to flare noxious gas again by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, a field report by the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria has said.

Investigation showed that in October 2009, SPDC ignited a gas flare furnace at midnight that woke the people to an environment polluted by noise and noxious gas emitted into the atmosphere.

According to the report released on Monday and signed by the field monitors of ERA/FoEN, Alagoa Morris and Akpotu Ziworitin, “a towering oil well drilling rig” has already been raised by Shell with a possibility that it could “set up the gas flare stack, and flare gas…”

The report said, “Incidentally, Shell would flare horizontally, at ground level. Considering the proximity to the community and living homes, the leadership of Gbarantoru and Ekpetiama kingdom is very much concerned about the health implications on inhabitants, even as the community has witnessed expansion.”

A resident of the community, Kembia Paul, said the impending igniting of the gas flare furnace “is not good for human health,” adding that expectedly the gas flare furnace would be ignited at midnight any day soon.

She said, “Even this one (the raised rig), it was (done) in the night; we just woke up and saw that they had done it (raised the rig). So, definitely igniting of the gas flare furnace is expected in the night. Since it is not good for human health (children are here), if there is anything they can do to help, we are interested because of our health.”

The report also quoted the Chairman of the Progressive Forum of Gbarantoru, Dakolo Ineikade, as recalling that the last time Shell flared gas, “it affected our crops, buildings, and we couldn’t sleep. The same thing is about to happen.”

Ineikade advised the oil firm to move the activity elsewhere because the inhabitants of the area would not accept the hazardous effects of the noxious emission.

“This gas flare that is about to occur here, I, a former youth leader and other concerned members of the community, have taken it upon ourselves that we will stand and make sure the gas flare won’t take place. SPDC should take it elsewhere…we are the immediate impacted community,” he said.

Also speaking, the monarch of Ekpetiama Kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo, described the activity as an aggression against the community people and indeed the Ijaw nation in general.

“From all indications, as they are drilling currently, definitely it will get to a point where they will flare gas.

“Flaring means putting those nuzzles into my nostrils and pumping me with those noxious chemicals. And, even if I can stand it, how many persons in the community would be able to stand it? So, definitely, people would die and you won’t even know that it is caused by poison from Shell. I don’t really blame Shell. Why would the Nigerian state, with all the NUPRC, and all the regulators just sit there, and people will come and kill people? So, what is your job as a regulator?”

When contacted, the Media Relations Manager, SPDC, Mr Michael Adande, said he would make contacts and get back to our correspondent but had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.

Recall that Ijaw nation stakeholders under the auspices of the Ijaw National Congress had, at the weekend, demanded that divesting International Oil Companies should clean up the polluted sites around the environments of their host communities in Ijaw land before pulling out of the Niger Delta.

They made their position known in a communique after a one-day dialogue organised by the INC at its national headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, with the theme, ‘The imperative for paradigm shift’. The forum was presided over by the President of INC, Prof Benjamin Okaba.

The PUNCH reports that oil giant, Shell, announced on January 15, 2024, that it had agreed to sell its Nigerian onshore oil assets to Renaissance, a consortium of four Nigerian companies and one foreign firm for $2.4bn.

Shell, which had been operating in Nigeria for over 60 years, in a statement by its London office, said with the deal, its onshore subsidiary, the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, would now be operated by ND Western, Aradel Energy, First E&P, Waltersmith, and Petrolin, a Swiss company.

The oil major, however, stated that the completion of the deal was still subject to approval by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

On Thursday last week, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, said it was not opposed to Shell’s sale of oil assets.

A statement signed by Nneamaka Okafor, the Special Adviser on Media and Communication to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, affirmed the government’s commitment to providing the enabling business-friendly environment in the country’s oil and gas industry.

Metro

Police Arrest For Sexual Assault Of Minor Leading To Pregnancy

Published

14 hours ago

July 20, 2025

Editor

Kebbi State Police Command has arrested no fewer than 11 suspects for allegedly impregnating a 13 years old unsound mind girl in the state.

The Command said that the arrests were made as part of its determination to rid the State of all forms of Gender Based Violence.

This was contained in a statement signed and made available to newsmen on Saturday by the spokesman of the command, CSP Nafiu Abubakar.

In the statement, Abubakar said, “The Divisional Police Officer, Shanga, had on 13th July, 2025, acting on credible intelligence, arrested 11 suspects namely: Ibrahim Bakanike, Danladi Nauyi, Danjuma Meli, Ibrahim Dankura, Ibrahim Isiaka, Masta Maishayi, Bello Muhammad, Danjuma Kodo, Aminu Isah, Zayyanu Isah and Ahmed Usman, all ‘m’ of Tungar Giwa village, Shanga LGA of Kebbi State.

“The suspects took advantage of one Sa’ima Dauda ‘f’ aged 13 yrs, who walked around in the village due to unsound mind by giving her money ranging from #200 to #500, lured her severally in different locations and had sexual intercourse with her which resulted to pregnancy and she safely delivered a baby boy on 8th July, 2025.”

The statement added that during the preliminary investigation, all the suspects arrested in connection with the case have confessed to the commission of the crime.

“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP Bello M Sani has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department to intensify efforts in arresting the remaining two fleeing suspects and ensure diligent investigation”

The CP equally reiterated the Command’s commitment to ensuring justice for the victims and speedy investigation of Gender Based Violence cases in the State.

Metro

Varsity Lecturer Dies In Company Of Female Student

Published

14 hours ago

July 19, 2025

Editor

Mr Olabode Ibikunle, a lecturer at Prince Abubakar Audu University, Ayingba, Kogi State, reportedly died on Thursday.

The lecturer, in the Department of Social Science Education of the institution, reportedly dies while in company of one Miss Glory Ojochegbe, of the same department.

But his death has been linked to one Miss Bello Lubabat.

Reacting,, the management of the university, however, dispelled the rumour, stating that investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to his death.

It urged people to wait for the outcome of the ongoing investigation by the appropriate authorities and avoid jumping into unverified conclusion.

The Registrar of the school, Yahaya Alilu, in a statement on Friday, urged the media and the public to refrain from speculation to avoid jumping into false conclusions.

The statement read, “Prince Abubakar Audu, University, Ayingba expressed deep sorrow over the unfortunate passing of Mr Olabode Abimbola Ibikunle, a lecturer in the Department of Social Science Education.

“His sudden demise in company of Miss Glory Ojochegbe Samuel (24GE2034) of the same department is a tragic and disturbing occurrence that understandably generated public concern and interest.

“The university wishes to state that the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Olabode Abimbola Ibikunle is currently under investigation by the appropriate authorities.

“We therefore kindly urge the public and the media to refrain from speculations or drawing premature conclusions until the facts are fully established.

“We are also aware of some unverified reports linking the names of other students including Miss Bello Yahaya Lubabat of the Department of Educational Administration and planning, to the incident.

“The university firmly dissociates Miss Bello and other students from the matter and cautions against the spread of unfounded information that may harm the reputation of innocent persons.

“Prince Abubakar Audu University remains committed to upholding the value of truth, fairness and justice , and we respectfully appeal for restraint and responsible reportage as investigation continues.”

Metro

Tragedy As Suspect In Ondo Varsity Students’ Murder Dies In Police Custody

Published

16 hours ago

July 19, 2025

Editor

The Ondo State Police Command on Saturday confirmed the death of a murder suspect, Femi Oladele, also known as Tallex, during a brief illness.

Oladele was arrested for his alleged role in the abduction and death of two students of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko – Andrel Okah and John Abba.

The two students, who were friends – Andrel Okah of the Department of History and International Studies, and John Abba of the Department of Economics – were said to be in 200-level in their departments before their disappearance on campus.

After their disappearance for three weeks, their colleagues raised the alarm and reported the matter to the police.

Thereafter, the command swung into action and began an investigation which led to the arrest of Oladele and two other accomplices. Oladele was said to be a landlord of one of the victims.

During interrogation of the suspects, the police said one of the suspects confessed that the victims had been killed, while their bodies were dumped at different locations in Ekiti State.

The police later disclosed that Okah’s body had been recovered and deposited at a morgue, while efforts were ongoing to recover Abba’s.

A source informed our correspondent that while in police custody, Oladele fell sick and was rushed to a hospital by the police, where he gave up the ghost.

“The suspect (Oladele) was sick in the custody where he was kept by the police. When his health condition was getting worse, he was quickly rushed to the hospital, where he later died.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the death of the suspect, stating that Oladele had been receiving treatment but succumbed in the early hours of Friday.

“Yes, he is dead. He had been under medical supervision since his arrest and had been in and out of the hospital. He passed away yesterday (Friday). We have recovered the decomposing body of Okah and are still searching for Abba’s remains.

“We urge the public to disregard any attempt to twist the facts. The command remains fully committed to justice. Everyone involved will face the full weight of the law,” the PPRO stated.