News

ERA To Shell: Clamp Your Leaking Pipeline In Bayelsa Community Now

Published

2 years ago

October 5, 2023

The Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has called on Shell to immediately clamp its leaking condensate pipeline located at Ekuraba Creek in Otuasega community, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The call came after a field visit by a team led by the Program Manager and Head of the Niger Delta Resource Center, ERA/FoEN, Comrade Alagoa Morris.

According to a statement by the Communication Officer, ERA, Elvira Jordan, the visit was sequel to a distress call from a video posted on social media by an indigene of the community, showing a high level of pollution in the Ekuraba creek.

INFO DAILY reports that Otuasega hosts Shell’s Kolocreek Logistic Base, Oil Wells where Shell extracts Crude oil/gas daily, Shell’s Kolocreek Tie-In Manifold and pipelines.

Like other host communities, Otuasega has experienced some of the negative consequences associated with oil industry induced pollution.

Akpobolokeme Odofori, one of the fisher folks living in the Ekuraba fishing camp who led the community leaders and ERA/FoEN from the spill point downstream [monitoring spread of condensate], lamented over the level of pollution the spill had caused along the Ekuraba creek and its effect on fishing activities in the area

He added: “Fishing is my occupation and I reside at the Ekuraba fishing camp. For about a week now we are not catching fish as we used to, due to this incident.

“This morning some persons came are said they want to see where the Kerosene was bubbling and the environment.

That was how I volunteered to guide them to this area where much of the spilled substance is gathered. The substance looks like Kerosene, diesel and petrol.

“Due to this pollution we have ceased using our fishing nets on the creek. There are no fishes again as before too. Right now the bubbling has stopped, maybe Shell has shut down the line’’.

Responding to questions concerning the spill, a member of the community, Igbeta James Brown, explained that they were informed about the spill incident by fisher folks residing within the Ekuraba Creek environment a week ago and was duly reported to Shell without any response till the date of filling this report.

Also speaking on the spill incident, Beauty Inie Keghe, a non-native but residing at the Ekuraba fishing camp, stated that their children are suffering from ailments associated with the spill.

She added that the fisher folks who survive from fishing activities have been subjected to hunger and starvation since the spill started.

According to her: “We are suffering since the spill happened in our camp. The water has gone bad. Children are coughing and experiencing cattarrh. The water has been contaminated, fishes are now scarce in the water; we are experiencing hunger.

“If all the fish in the water are dead, what are we going eat or do? We are suffering and facing hunger. Our husbands are also getting sick. This is the situation in our [fishing] camp now.”

On his part, the Chairman of Otuasega community, Nyamono Ezuzu Sydney stated that the incessant oil spills has caused a lot of damages to their environment and the people, pointing out that the people depend on the creek for their farming and fishing.

“Every end of year our people come here to do fishing. And because of this spill, I know that it will affect the fishing of this year. Besides some dying presently, most of them [fish] will migrate to other places so I know that it will affect us during the dry season, due to this. So it will affect the economic activity of our people’’.

The m Chairman said faulted Shell for what he described as a nonchalant attitude towards oil spill issues, calling on the government to intervene on the issues.

“Even when the spill started, we tried to reach out to some of them. But up till now they have not come. So we want government to use their strength, because if we go to Shell , government would say we are taking laws into our hands.”

He also called on Shell to be proactive in its reactions to spills and leakages, adding that they should know it is their responsibility to detects and handle spills.

Reacting to the spill incident, the Executive Director of ERA/FoEN, Chima William called on Shell to immediately mobilize to site for JIV, with the relevant stakeholders, to ascertain cause of leak or rupture.

He further called on the relevant regulatory bodies, especially NOSDRA to ensure that Shell pays the stipulated fine for failing to notify NOSDRA about the spill within the time frame allowed.

He also demanded that the impacted environment should be immediately cleaned up to prevent further damage to the environment.

News

NAFDAC Warns On Recalled U.S. Supplements

Published

4 hours ago

July 9, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted Nigerians about the recall of certain multivitamins and iron supplements in the U.S.

NAFDAC, via its official Twitter handle, stated that the affected vitamin brand is labelled as CINCINNATI (WKRC).

The agency noted that the supplements were sold across the U.S., including by major retailers such as Walmart and Amazon.

The recall was prompted by a “risk of serious injury or death” from poisoning, especially among young children, due to improper packaging.

NAFDAC cited a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report, which revealed that 60,000 units were affected by the recall.

The recalled products include Daily Prenatal Multi, Ultamins Women’s Multivitamin, and Ultamins Women’s 50+ Multivitamin.

It was discovered that the products lacked child-resistant packaging, making them dangerous if accessed by young children.

“Without child-resistant packaging, children are at risk of fatal poisoning if they ingest these supplements.

“Even a few tablets of iron supplements can cause vomiting, stomach pain, low blood pressure, or liver damage in young children,” NAFDAC warned.

In severe cases, NAFDAC said, symptoms may escalate rapidly and could become life-threatening.

All zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to monitor and remove the CINCINNATI (WKRC) products from circulation.

Distributors, retailers, healthcare providers, and caregivers are urged to remain vigilant to prevent the use or sale of the recalled items.

NAFDAC advised that any suspected cases of substandard or falsified medicines be reported to the nearest office or via 0800-162-3322, or sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.

News

FG Launches Phase 7 Of Kainji Mass Trials Of Terrorist Suspects

Published

4 hours ago

July 9, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government of Nigeria on Wednesday officially launched Phase 7 of the Kainji Mass Trials of terrorist suspects.

A statement by the strategic communications department of the office of the National Security Adviser ONSA, said “it is part of its continued commitment to combating terrorism, violent extremism, and strengthening the nation’s criminal justice system in line with international best practices”,

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony on Wednesday, the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Major General Adamu Garba Laka, emphasised that the trials represent Nigeria’s unwavering pursuit of justice and a reaffirmation of its resolve to confront terrorism through lawful and transparent means.

He said, “It is truly encouraging to see the convergence of the Judiciary, law enforcement, legal practitioners, and partners, once again united in purpose and duty.

“These trials are a cornerstone of our national commitment to upholding the rule of law while addressing terrorism and violent extremism.”

General Laka noted that Nigeria has recorded significant successes in strengthening its criminal justice capacity to handle terrorism-related offences.

He further highlighted that recent progress in the prosecution of such cases has played a critical role in addressing concerns raised by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

“Indeed, the advancements made through these trials have greatly contributed to Nigeria’s efforts toward exiting the FATF Grey List,” he added.

On behalf of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, General Laka extended appreciation to the Federal Government, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the Justices of the Federal High Court for their professionalism and dedication to justice.

He also acknowledged the valuable support of international partners, investigators, legal teams, and support staff.

Representing the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar, commended the collaborative efforts of the ONSA and various local and international stakeholders for their ongoing support and contributions to the trials.

He reiterated the Federal Government’s determination to ensure justice is served to both victims and accused persons within a framework that respects the rule of law and human rights.

News

Lagos LG Poll: Police Restrict Movement Saturday

Published

4 hours ago

July 9, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, has announced a 12-hour restriction on movement on Saturday across the state for the local government election.

He also ordered a massive deployment of personnel across the state.

Jimoh disclosed this in a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, in Lagos on Wednesday.

He said the deployment was to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

“Consultative Committee on Elections Security in Lagos State and other critical stakeholders in the election, putting into cognisance foremost public interest to enable adequate security, peaceful conduct and safety before, during and after the election, and also to effectively implement the robust security arrangements to protect and safeguard the election, the electorates, LASEIC officials and adhoc staff and electoral processes and other members of public not participating in the election, hereby wishes to announce and inform the general public in Lagos State of total restriction of vehicular movement throughout Lagos State from 3 am on Saturday 12th July, 2025 till 3 pm of same Saturday 12th July, 2025,” the statement read.

He added that elaborate security arrangements and comprehensive security measures have been put in place to ensure security, safety, and peaceful and orderly conduct of the LG elections.

“The command with other security and safety agencies is working together under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.

“The restriction of vehicular movements will apply to all roads and waterways within the state jurisdiction,” he said.

He added that police escorts and armed security aides were strictly prohibited from accompanying their principals to polling units or collation centres.

The measure was to prevent any undue influence or intimidation during the election.

“Police escorts, covered number plates, and the use of sirens at or in the vicinity of polling units and collation centres are prohibited,” he said.

Jimoh said that only vehicles designated for essential services, such as ambulances, fire trucks, and patrol vehicles operated by security agencies in the ICCES, would be permitted to operate during the restriction period.

The commissioner added, “All other vehicles, including those belonging to any quasi-security outfit and state security agencies, are barred from movement, as no state-owned security agency is authorised to participate in the election security operations, in line with the electoral act.

“The movement restriction will not apply to essential services such as those on medical emergencies and other emergency responders and their workers, the duly accredited officials of the LASIEC and accredited election observers and media practitioners on election coverage accredited by LASIEC.

“These categories of groups and individuals are permitted to carry out their lawful duties during the election period, provided they adhere to all the relevant guidelines and regulations in the Electoral Act.”

He said that all the security agencies personnel and other stakeholders, including the media and election observers accredited by LASEIC for the election, would have and wear their identification tags certified by LASEIC throughout the period of the election.

“No one without the identification tag will be allowed to take part in the election. Anyone arrested without an identification tag will be investigated and prosecuted in line with the Electoral Act,” he said.

NAN