Amnesty International has warned that the Nigerian government must urgently investigate gas leaks in the Bille community, located in the Niger Delta, which are endangering residents’ lives. Reports dating back to October 2025 describe bubbling water and a sulphurous smell across mangrove swamps, rivers, and the town itself, with some residents even able to ignite the air near the leaks. The community, situated near extensive oil and gas infrastructure formerly operated by Shell, is already facing contaminated drinking water, and children have fallen ill, prompting school relocations.
Despite initial air quality tests by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) indicating methane levels 10,000 times higher than normal at one site, no comprehensive investigation has been completed. Community leaders have expressed frustration at the lack of action, urging the government to intervene immediately to prevent a potentially catastrophic incident. Amnesty International emphasizes that oil companies must cooperate fully with authorities, regardless of ownership changes, to identify potential contributions from infrastructure and address any harm caused.
This situation follows a long history of environmental damage in the Niger Delta, including decades of oil spills that devastated livelihoods, polluted water sources, and left communities like Bille and Ogale dependent on legal action to seek accountability. In 2021, the UK Supreme Court ruled that Shell could be held liable for prior spills and leaks, with a trial scheduled for 2027. Amnesty International continues to call on both the Nigerian government and oil companies to act urgently to protect the health, safety, and rights of Bille residents.
