Group Demands Immediate Action Over Fresh Oil Spill In Rivers Community

A fresh oil spillage has been reported in the Akinima community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, sparking renewed concerns over environmental degradation in the Niger Delta and prompting strong demands for urgent action from oil regulators and operators.

The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) raised the alarm on Monday, January 12, 2026, following what it described as a “distressing report” from community youths operating under its Crude Oil Spill Alert System (COSAS).

According to the group, the spill emanated from a 6-inch pipeline operated by OANDO, and, as of the time of reporting, crude oil was still actively flowing from the facility.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, YEAC disclosed that the affected pipeline had yet to be clamped, raising fears of escalating environmental damage if urgent containment measures are not taken.

“This incident is a stark reminder of the recurring oil spillage issues plaguing our environment and communities in the Niger Delta,” the organisation stated, noting that repeated spills continue to undermine livelihoods, contaminate farmlands and water bodies, and expose residents to serious health risks.

However, the group called on OANDO and regulatory authorities—particularly the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA)—to act without delay.

At the top of the group’s list of demands is the immediate conduct of a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to the spill site in Akinima, involving all relevant stakeholders, including community representatives, stressing that a transparent JIV is critical to determining the cause of the spill and establishing accountability.

The organisation also demanded the immediate clamping of the affected pipeline to halt the ongoing discharge of crude oil, warning that every hour of delay compounds the damage to the already fragile ecosystem.

Beyond emergency response, YEAC urged authorities to carry out a thorough investigation into the root cause of the spill and to invoke the relevant provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021, where applicable.

According to the group, strict enforcement of the law remains essential to deterring negligence and improving operational standards in the oil and gas sector.

Additionally, YEAC called for the implementation of concrete measures to prevent future occurrences, arguing that repeated spills point to systemic failures in pipeline integrity management and surveillance.

Meanwhile, while acknowledging preliminary indications of possible third-party interference, YEAC condemned acts of vandalism and stressed that perpetrators must be brought to justice if confirmed by the JIV outcome.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and advocate for the rights of the affected community, while the perpetrators should be brought to book if the JIV report confirms third-party interference,” the statement read.

The latest incident in Akinima adds to a long list of oil spill cases in Rivers State, reinforcing long-standing concerns by environmental groups over regulatory enforcement, corporate responsibility, and the human cost of oil pollution in the Niger Delta.

Residents fear that without swift intervention, the spill could spread further into surrounding farmlands and waterways, worsening the impact on fishing, farming, and public health.