Metro
Bayelsa Communities Panic Over Shell’s Alleged Gas Flare Plan

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.
READ ALSO: Minister Meets Bayelsa Monarchs In moves To Tackle Oil Theft
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.
READ ALSO: Spill: Odimodi Community Decries Abandonment Of Broken Valve By Shell
“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.
READ ALSO: FG’ll Approve Shell’s $2.4bn Asset Sale – Minister
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 Restores Peace After Bomb Explosion Rocks Imo Community
The Imo State Police Command has restored peace and order in Obinwanne Community, Njaba LGA, after a bomb explosion rocked the area, killing the carrier and injuring two others.
A press statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, stated that the community was thrown into panic following the incident, but the swift intervention of police personnel restored normalcy.
He explained that operatives from the Njaba Divisional Headquarters received a distress call alerting them to the incident, which led to the immediate mobilisation of officers to the scene.
It was confirmed that the blast was caused by an explosive device carried by one Mr Chinworeke Mmadu from Ebonyi State, which detonated prematurely, leading to fatal injuries that later claimed his life.
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According to the statement, two passers-by who sustained injuries were rushed to Santa Maria Hospital, where they remain in stable condition.
“In furtherance of the response, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Hamzat A. Abdulkadir, visited the scene with operatives of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal, EOD, Unit. The area was carefully swept and has been declared safe for public use,” he added.
Okoye further disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed the deceased was carrying the explosive device, and inquiries are ongoing to determine his motive and possible affiliations.
READ ALSO:Woman Killed, Five Others Injured In Imo Market Explosion
Commissioner of Police Aboki Danjuma, while responding to the development, wished the injured victims a speedy recovery and assured Imo residents of the Command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
He also urged members of the public to remain calm, be security-conscious, and provide timely information to aid security efforts.
Danjuma further advised the public to report any suspicious item or object to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines for prompt action.
Metro
Deborah Okwori, Murdered Fashion Designer Buried Amid Tears
Deborah Eneyi Ohekuru Okwori, professionally known as Deb’rah Porsche, has been laid to rest in her hometown of Ugaga Ohuhu Owo, Oju Local Government Area, Benue State.
DAILY POST reports that Deborah was allegedly murdered by her jilted lover, Lintex Ogale, in Lagos on September 3, 2025. Ogale reportedly stabbed her multiple times before fleeing.
She was rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
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The suspect was later arrested and remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending further legal proceedings.
Recall that the moment the casket arrived in her hometown, Deborah’s mother moved mourners to tears with a poignant tribute: “Since you did not wait to dance at my burial, I’ll dance for you instead.”
She was seen dancing around the casket, expressing her grief and love for her daughter in an emotional display.
Family, friends, and community members gathered to honor Deborah’s life.
Metro
Police Ask Court To Issue Arrest Warrant Against Andy Uba Over Alleged N400m Job Scam
The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun has formally asked a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of ex-senator Andy Uba over a N400 million job scam.
The police intend to arrest Uba and bring him to court for trial.
The IGP sought the arrest order on Wednesday following the persistent absence of Uba, who once represented Anambra South in the Senate, to appear in court for arraignment over the alleged appointment fraud.
The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar had, in July, slated Wednesday for the arraignment of Uba and his co-defendant, Benjamin Etu.
When the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024 was called on Wednesday, counsel to the defendants, C.L Odiniru apologized for Uba’s absence and said the former senator is sick and receiving treatment in the United States.
READ ALSO:Court Remands Man Who Beat Wife In Viral Video
Counsel to the prosecution (IGP), Aminu Abdullahi, however told the court that the defense counsel had, during previous proceedings in the matter, given sickness as reason for the absence of the first defendant without adducing any documentary evidence to show that he is actually sick and cannot face his trial.
Abdullahi prayed the court to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the former senator.
Defense counsel, Odiniru, opposed the application for a bench warrant and following a directive of the court, said the defense has obtained documents showing that Uba is receiving treatment abroad.
But responding, Abdullahi said granting the application for bench warrant will be in the best interest of justice.
Justice Umar who was apparently angry over the repeated absence of Andy Uba, said the court will do whatever it takes to ensure that he is present to face his trial if he failed to come to court on the next adjourned date.
READ ALSO:Abuja Court Jails Ex-legislative Aide For N120m Fraud
“I will give you another opportunity by giving you another date. This case must be heard this year. Even if it means issuing a bench warrant of arrest, the court will do that,” the judge said and adjourned the matter till October 28, 2025 for Uba and his co-defendant to take their plea.
It would be recalled that the prosecution had, on March 5, 2025, amended a two-count charge filed against Uba and his co-defendant, Benjamin Etu, before the former trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo.
The police had earlier named Uba and two others in the first charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024.
The co-defendants, in the two-count charge filed on October 10, 2024 by Abdulrashid Sidi in the Legal/Prosecution Section at the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, were Crystal Uba and Benjamin Etu as 2nd and 3rd defendants, respectively.
But in the amended charge filed March 4, 2025, by Sidi, Uba and Etu are listed as 1st and 2nd defendants, while Crystal Uba’s name was dropped.
READ ALSO:Kenya Court Seeks UK Citizen’s Arrest Over Mother’s Murder
In count one, it was alleged that Uba, Etu and Hajiya Fatima, now at large, sometimes in 2022, conspired amongst themselves to commit the offence.
Uba and others were accused of obtaining by false pretence, by making a presentation to Mr George Uboh that they had perfected ways for giving appointment as Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to any interested person who could afford N400 million.
“A presentation which you know is not true and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related offences Act, 2006,” the charge stated.
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The offence, the prosecution said, is contrary to Section 1 (2) and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related offences Act, 2006.
Uboh, in a letter dated April 5, 2023, and addressed to the IGP, said the petition was based on documentary evidence and voice recording, adding that the evidence is overwhelming and irrefutable.
No fewer than six witnesses had been listed to testify against the ex-lawmaker and Etu.
The case was re-assigned to Justice Umar, following the suspension of the former judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, by the National Judicial Council, NJC.
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