Former Legal Adviser of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Dr. Igbeta Ayebakuro, has called on the operators of Oil Mining Licenses (OML) 18 and 24 to urgently address the aftermath of a gas eruption reported in Bille Community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State. He urged the companies to provide immediate medical attention where necessary and carry out environmental remediation to protect residents and their livelihoods.
Ayebakuro raised the concern in a statement issued on March 12, 2026, describing the incident as a serious environmental and safety issue for the historic riverine community. According to him, the gas eruption has heightened anxiety among residents who live close to oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta.
The former IYC legal adviser said the incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by host communities that coexist with oil exploration infrastructure. He noted that for many Niger Deltans, particularly the Ijaw people of Bille Community, such occurrences are more than isolated accidents and instead represent ongoing environmental and safety challenges associated with oil and gas operations.
Bille Community is surrounded by waterways, creeks, and mangrove forests that serve as the economic lifeline of the people. Fishing and other water-based activities remain the primary means of livelihood for many families in the area.
Ayebakuro explained that any disruption to this delicate ecological system could have serious consequences for the local economy and the survival of residents. According to him, environmental incidents in such communities do not only threaten nature but also undermine the traditional occupations that have sustained families for generations.
He therefore called on NNPC Eighteen Operating Limited and Newcross Exploration and Production Limited, the companies responsible for operating OML 18 and OML 24, to immediately respond to the situation. Ayebakuro said the operators must recognize their legal, moral, and corporate social responsibilities toward host communities.
According to him, remediation efforts should begin without delay to minimize the potential environmental and health impacts of the gas eruption. He stressed the importance of conducting a comprehensive environmental assessment to determine the full extent of the damage caused by the incident.
The former legal adviser added that if any form of contamination or ecological disruption is discovered, the companies must initiate urgent clean-up operations in line with internationally recognized environmental standards. He also emphasized the need for transparency and open communication with the leadership and residents of Bille Community.
Ayebakuro stated that host communities in the Niger Delta have historically borne the environmental and social burdens of oil exploration while often being left in uncertainty whenever incidents occur. He said responsible corporate citizenship requires oil companies to demonstrate commitment to the safety of lives, environmental protection, and the welfare of host communities.
He also warned that although the people of Bille and other Ijaw communities are peaceful and law-abiding, they are aware of their rights under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and relevant environmental regulations. He said failure by the operators to take immediate and meaningful action could prompt affected groups to explore lawful means of seeking redress.
According to Ayebakuro, legal measures, including the possibility of a class action, could become necessary if urgent steps are not taken to address the situation. Such actions, he said, would aim to compel accountability and ensure justice for communities whose environment and livelihoods continue to face risks.
The former IYC legal adviser further noted that the Niger Delta region has experienced numerous cases of environmental neglect over the years. He warned that the latest incident in Bille must not follow what he described as a recurring pattern of silence and delayed response.
He called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Newcross Exploration and Production Limited to act decisively to restore confidence among residents and protect the environment.
Ayebakuro also linked the issue to his broader advocacy within the Ijaw Youths Council. As an aspirant for the position of Secretary General in the forthcoming IYC Worldwide elections, he said environmental protection and the defense of community rights remain central to his agenda.
He stated that if given the opportunity to serve in the incoming 10th National Executive Council of the IYC, the leadership would pursue environmental justice for affected communities with greater commitment. According to him, the council’s secretariat, working with its legal unit, would explore all available channels, including international mechanisms, to address environmental abuses and protect the rights of the Ijaw people.
Meanwhile, Ayebakuro commended the leadership of the IYC Eastern Zone for its prompt response to the incident. He specifically praised the chairman of the zone, Comrade Datolu, for initiating efforts to gather firsthand information and conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the gas eruption and its possible impact.
He noted that the proactive action taken by the Eastern Zone leadership helped bring early attention to the issue and provided initial insights into the extent of damage. According to him, without such intervention, the matter might have remained largely unnoticed in its early stages.
