An oil spill from a pipeline owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has caused severe damage to the Iloma community and neighboring areas in Rivers State. The incident, which occurred around 7:00 pm on November 23, 2024, has resulted in a widespread environmental disaster affecting creeks, rivers, and the surrounding land.

The spill, originating from a ruptured pipeline in the Bonny local government area, has spread rapidly through the waterways due to strong currents, impacting multiple communities including Iloma, Epelema, Orupiri, Ayaminima, Minima, Oloma, and Oguede. The crude oil contamination has devastated the local ecosystems, destroyed farmlands, and severely affected the fishing and farming-based livelihoods of the residents.

The spill has forced the evacuation of Iloma residents, with crude oil flooding homes, gardens, and farmlands, creating a serious fire risk. Marine commuters are navigating cautiously, taking extra care to avoid any sparks from their engines that could ignite the surrounding environment. In an alarming display of desperation, some residents were seen scooping crude oil from the contaminated waters.

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A flange found at the spill site has raised suspicions of foul play. NNPCL maintenance workers attributed the rupture to third-party tampering, but local community member Valentine Hart challenged this claim. He argued that previous issues with the pipeline, which were addressed by NNPCL workers, could have been the cause of the incident. Hart called for a transparent investigation, warning that the community would resist any attempt to cover up the matter.

The Bonny Youth Federation’s Director of Pollution, Sotonye Allison, has urged immediate action to contain the spill and prevent further damage. Meanwhile, Arnold Hart, a youth leader from Iloma, expressed concerns that the oil spill had ruined the livelihoods of local residents, who rely on fishing and farming for their survival.

Eyewitness accounts, including that of John Abbey, a resident of Epelema, describe a loud explosion followed by a rapid spread of crude oil into the local creeks. Abbey has called on the government and NNPCL to act swiftly to provide aid to the affected communities.

Environmental experts have raised further questions about the NNPCL’s role in the spill, suggesting that workers at the site should be investigated. The environmental impact continues to worsen, as maritime activities in the region are severely disrupted, and the contamination poses an ongoing fire hazard. As of now, the NNPCL has yet to comment on the situation.