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Fresh Oil Spill Devastates Rivers Community

Published

7 months ago

May 20, 2025

Editor

A fresh crude oil spill has devastated the Oshika community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, destroying farmlands and contaminating water bodies.

The incident, which occurred on Monday, affected a pipeline right of way operated by Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, the new operator of facilities formerly managed by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited.

The spill reportedly polluted the Wome River and large swathes of farmland, sparking outrage among residents and environmental advocates.

Commenting on the incident, environmentalist and Executive Director of Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene, attributed the spill to third-party interference.

In a statement issued on Monday, Dumnamene said the spill was reported to the centre by members of its youth volunteer network under the One Million Youth Volunteers Network of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters in the Niger Delta, who are also part of the Crude Oil Spill Alert System.

“According to our volunteer network, the spillage was noticed in the early hours of Monday, May 19, in the Oshika community, along a pipeline operated by Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd. The volunteers alleged that the spill was caused by third-party interference,” the statement read.

Dumnamene called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency to immediately launch an investigation into the incident and ensure accountability under the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.

“The Advocacy Centre calls on NOSDRA to carry out a timely joint investigation visit to the site and invoke relevant sections of the PIA to hold those responsible accountable. The operator must also clamp the spill point without delay to mitigate the impact on the environment,” he stated.

He stressed the urgency of stopping the flow to protect local ecosystems, adding, “Immediate clamping of the spill point is necessary to mitigate environmental damage and protect the flora and fauna in the area.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said she had yet to receive a report on the incident.

She, however, promised to investigate and provide feedback, which had not been received as of the time of filing this report Monday evening.

News

Trump’s Airstrikes: Halt Military Cooperation With US Immediately – Sheikh Gumi Tells Tinubu Govt

Published

11 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has called on the Federal Government to immediately halt all military cooperation with the United States following reported US airstrikes.

Gumi warned that American involvement could worsen Nigeria’s security challenges and undermine national sovereignty.

Gumi made the call in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Friday.

He said while Islam permits the fight against terrorism, such actions should only be carried out by what he described as “clean hands,” arguing that the United States lacks the moral authority to lead such efforts because of its global military record.

According to the cleric, Nigeria made a mistake by allowing foreign powers to play a role in its counterterrorism operations, insisting that “terrorists do not truly fight terrorists” and that such interventions often result in civilian casualties and hidden political motives.

Gumi warned that allowing Nigeria to become a theatre of war would attract anti-US forces into the country, further destabilising it.

He also cautioned that US involvement, particularly under claims of protecting Christians, could polarise the country along religious lines.

The cleric further argued that airstrikes alone cannot defeat terrorism, stressing that effective counterterrorism requires strong ground operations, which he said Nigeria has enough personnel to carry out if properly organised.

“This is the mistake Nigeria has made. Terrorists don’t fight terrorists in truth; they may only kill innocent people and have ulterior motives behind the drama of fighting ‘terror’.

“As a principle, no nation should allow its land to be a theater of war. And no nation should allow its neighbors to be their enemies.

“If Nigeria wants military assistance, China, Turkey, and Pakistan can do the job effectively,” part of his statement reads.

News

Shehu Sani Reacts To Trump’s Military Strikes In Nigeria

Published

11 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

Former lawmaker, senator Shehu Sani, has reacted to reports of United States military strikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North-West, saying foreign powers cannot permanently handle the country’s security challenges.

Sani made the remarks on Friday via his X handle while responding to a post by the United States Africa Command, AFRICOM, which indicated that the strikes were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities.

According to him, if the reported strikes were indeed a joint operation with Nigerian security agencies, then such action was justifiable, given the threat posed by terrorist groups in the region.

He described terrorists operating in parts of northern Nigeria as “cancerous cells,” stressing that they survive through violence and should be confronted decisively.

Sani also dismissed narratives suggesting that terrorist attacks target only one religious group, describing such claims as false and misleading.

He said: “If actually, the military strikes against the terrorists targets in the North Western part of Nigeria were a joint operation with the ‘Nigerian Authorities’ as posted by the US AFRICOM on their verified X handle, then it’s a conscionable action.

“Terrorists have become cancerous cells in our part of the country.They live by the sword.The narrative that the evil terrorists only targets one faith, remains absolutely false and misleading.

“Again, the ultimate security and peace in our country lies with ourselves and not with the US or any foreign power. They can complimentarily or unilaterally strike, but they can’t eternally fight our battles.”