Metro

Bayelsa To Sue Oil Companies For Decades Of Environmental Pollution

Published

2 years ago

October 28, 2024

The Bayelsa State Government has resolved to sue international oil companies operating in the state over unmitigated oil pollution for over six decades.

Governor Douye Diri disclosed this on Monday while addressing an expanded State Executive Council meeting to receive the final report of the Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission at Government House, Yenagoa.

He stated, “After a review of an advance copy of your report, I can affirm that it captures the essence of our trials while outlining a hopeful pathway towards resolution. Your insights will serve as a beacon, guiding us towards actionable solutions and inspiring us to restore dignity and opportunity to our people.

“The report, appropriately titled ‘An Environmental Genocide: Counting the Human and Environmental Cost of Oil in Bayelsa, Nigeria,’ is truly alarming.

“Additionally, we are encouraged by the revelation in the report that in most advanced industrialised countries, two basic principles—’polluter pays’ and ‘no fault liability’—form the cornerstone of the legal regime for regulating extractive industries. Taken together, they mean that those who own and operate facilities are responsible for the damage caused by their pollution, even if they are not at fault.”

He indicated that the government may pursue legal redress outside the shores of Nigeria.

“Consequently, the perennial excuse by the IOCs that nearly ’90 per cent of leaks are due to sabotage, a finding they believe frees them of liability for compensating the victims’ would not find accommodation in foreign jurisdictions. That is why we are pleased that this commission has strengthened our capacity to litigate anywhere in the world.”

Diri quoted parts of the report in his address, noting that Bayelsa bears 25 per cent of Nigeria’s oil pollution and that one study estimated that in 2012 alone, oil spills in Nigeria, predominantly in the Niger Delta, resulted in over 16,000 additional neonatal deaths, saying, “Even one life lost to accommodate the greed of oil exploration is one death too many.”

Regarding the level of oil contamination, he stated, “It has been so heavy that, according to estimates, as much as one and a half barrels of oil have been spilled in Bayelsa for every man, woman, and child living in the state today. The figures are even higher for some parts of Bayelsa, with, for instance, as many as six barrels of oil spilled for every person in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.”

“The stark reality is devastating: every Bayelsa resident is affected, our lives perpetually endangered. The brutal implication: we are either already dead or waiting to die,” he added.

The report estimated that between 1970 and 2014, Nigeria earned an estimated trillion dollars in oil revenue. Since 2006, oil produced in Bayelsa has generated over US $150 billion for the Federal Government and billions for the international oil companies that operate its wells. On average, oil produced in Bayelsa is responsible for approximately US $10 billion in government revenues per year.

Diri formally dissolved the commission but stated that some of the members would be appointed to a committee he would soon set up to implement the report, which he assured would be carried out.

Speaking while presenting the final report to Governor Diri, Chairman of the Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission, Archbishop John Sentamu, said oil has been a revenue spinner for the Federal Government but a curse for the land of the state.

Sentamu noted that oil pollution has resulted in the loss of about 40 per cent of mangroves and that the level of toxic waste exceeds acceptable levels in several parts of the state.

Other members of the commission who spoke highlighted various aspects of the report, urging Governor Diri and the Bayelsa State Government to act swiftly to seek environmental justice.

The commission recommended a comprehensive Bayelsa recovery and cleanup plan, a recovery fund of US $12 billion over 12 years, the establishment of a Bayelsa Recovery Agency, a new compensation scheme for those affected, and fundamental reform of the regulatory regime.

It also called for the introduction of a new legal framework and new dispute resolution procedures, enshrining and enhancing the role of state governments, strengthening scrutiny of IOC behaviour both internationally and in their home jurisdictions, overhauling IOC approaches to community engagement to ensure transparency, accountability, and voice, as well as establishing a legally binding effective legacy and decommissioning regime.

Metro

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

21 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.