By Tina Amanda
Residents of Ogale community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State staged a protest on Monday, February 13, 2025, against Shell over alleged environmental destruction of farmlands and water sources.
The demonstrators carried placards with inscriptions such as “We mourn the lives Shell has taken—past, present, and future, Ogoni is not for sale, Gas flaring kills Ogale, and Reparations for Ogale now!” They demanded justice for years of oil spillage that they claim have devastated their community.
The protest coincided with the commencement of a case in a London court, where thirteen thousand (13,000) Nigerian farmers are suing Shell over pollution and environmental degradation.
A major oil spill occurred in Ogale on February 2, 2025, from a Shell-operated manifold. For the first time, Shell admitted responsibility for the spill, which left the community in crisis, prompting calls for compensation and cleanup efforts.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) had previously reported high levels of benzene a cancer-causing chemical in Ogale’s water supply, a critical piece of evidence in the farmers’ legal battle against Shell.
Speaking to journalists, the Female Ruler of Egbemgbala sub-community, Chief Mrs. Igwe Benjamin Ngajima, lamented the impact of oil pollution on drinking water and women’s reproductive health.
“Our underground water is completely polluted. This contamination affects our health, especially the fertility of our women. We demand that Shell compensate us for the destruction they have caused.”
The protests also showed solidarity with Ogale’s traditional ruler, King Babbe Okpabi, who is in London leading the legal battle against Shell. The case, which runs from February to March 2025, aims to hold the oil giant accountable for decades of environmental damage in the Niger Delta.
Ogoni rights activist Celestine Akpobari called for an urgent state of emergency in Ogale, citing severe health risks.
“The situation here is dire. Every time I visit, I experience severe headaches due to the high levels of hydrocarbons in the air. I don’t know how residents survive in these conditions.
“The government must declare a state of emergency, relocate affected residents, and restore the environment before they can return safely.”
Akpobari also criticized the Nigerian government for failing to protect oil-producing communities.
“It’s not just about drilling oil while the people are dying. The money spent in Abuja is blood money. The communities that produce this oil are suffering.”
Another protester, a female farmer, condemned the widespread pollution, which she said has led to deaths and serious health challenges.
“People are dying. Why is Shell making us suffer like this? Enough is enough! The pollution of Eleme’s environment must stop. We say no to oil spills, no to injustice. We refuse to die because of Shell’s negligence!” she declared.
The case in London could set a significant precedent for oil pollution accountability in Nigeria and beyond.
