Metro

Rivers: Oil Spill Causes Palpable Panic Amidst Environmental, Livelihoods Concerns

Published

1 year ago

December 20, 2024

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

Residents of communities in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State have been thrown into palpable panic following a recent oil spill that spread all over their shoreline.

Stakeholders who visited the affected areas along the Oyorokoto/Agbama/Imo River, were told by community sources that the spill was suspected to be from an SPDC facility in Bonny Island – “spreading to the Oyorokoto/Agbama/Imo River and thereby impacting communities.”

During the visit, stakeholders comprising representatives from Andoni Host and
Impacted Communities Bureau, the National Youth Council of Nigeria
Andoni, amongst others, were told by another source that Another source that the spill emanated from a pipeline rupture at a Shell loading terminal in Bonny.

They lamented their experience of the magnitude of
the spill, and the immediate impacts they witnessed.

They noted that the oil spill has damaged fishing nets, boats, and other equipment, rendering them unusable.

According to them, the oil spill has contaminated the
waterways, making it impossible for fishermen to engage in their daily
livelihood.

The oil spill has caused significant environmental damage,
including the destruction of mangroves, fish habitats, and other marine life,” they lamented.

They urged the polluting company to quickly contain the spill to avoid
further destruction.

The stakeholders also urged the company to carry out cleanup and remediation as well as provide adequate compensation to the impacted community people.

It was gathered that the spill was huge as its impact is already felt over 40km from the incident site, and there are indications that due to wave action, the
spill will spread to other communities along that coastline.

Reacting to the incident, Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director, Health of Mother Erath Foundation (HOMEF), lamented that “these frequent spills are the harsh realities of community
folks in the Niger Delta and in many cases, nothing is done as the
communities are left to suffer. “

“Most of the pipelines that crisscross
the Niger Delta are as old as when commercial export of crude oil
started in Nigeria and a lot of these spills are coming from these old
pipelines and in some other cases, equipment failure.

“We call on all relevant agencies to beam their search light on these oil
companies to ensure that justice is served,” he concluded.

Recall that a similar spill occurred in Shell’s Trans Niger Pipeline line III on May 11, 2024, in the Asarama community, the same Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State – polluting and contaminating the environment as well as fishing gear and destroying their means of livelihood.

Metro

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

11 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
‎
Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
‎
The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
‎
‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
‎
‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
‎
He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
‎

Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.