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Rivers Community Calls for Urgent Action to Address Pollution
Rivers Community Calls for Urgent Action to Address Pollution
By: Michael Mike
Kebetkache, in Rivers State has raised an alarm to the pollution committed in the oil rich state by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), calling on the oil exploration company, the government, global community, regulatory agencies and relevant stakeholders to take urgent action to address these issues.
In a statement titled: “The Environmental Assault Committed by Shell in Rivers Communities” issued at the weekend to mark the World Press Freedom Day, the community said: “There is a threat to sustainable development in the Niger Delta. The environmental crisis of air pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change have become significant challenges for people and communities.”
The statement read: “This is the reason Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre use the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day to provide update on key environmental injustice cases in Rivers state. This is necessary to prevent misinformation and disinformation by people who do not understand the issues. It is important to note that the information ecosystem is crucial.
“The theme of the 2024 World Press Freedom Day is “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of Environmental Crisis” and it is dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis. In view of this, Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre, with her allied organisations present the environmental pollution issues in Ibaa and Obelle communities in Emohua local government area and Aminigboko community in Abua/Odual local government area.
“In 2016, people in Chukwure family compound discovered that their hand dug well was filled with crude oil instead of water that it was producing until that fateful period. The case was reported to the Shell the corporation carrying out activities in the locality.
“The family has been worried and concerned over their fate living such level of pollution. Part of the response by Shell to advocacy efforts to get justice for the family is Shell sealing off the affected well.
“A visit to the site on May 2nd 2024 showed that some family still live with the pollution. The family wants to be relocated to somewhere safe and secured and compensation paid for damages so far suffered by family members.
“Obelle community of Emuoha Local Government Area, Rivers State, is one of the sites where Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) carries out its oil extraction activities. In 1998 the well-4 head operated by Shell erupted with gas fire, burning over thirty hectares expanse of land, in the community for about three months.”
The community alleged that: “After burning for some weeks, SPDC added some chemicals to control it. The
chemicals were washed into the community’s aquifer, resulting to impacts on the people’s health and their source of livelihood. The only solution proffered by SPDC was to acquire these lands without alternative provision for farming. There was no compensation made to the community and the people have suffered untold hardship as a result of the insufficient land to carry out their farming activities and women are the worst hit in terms of displacement.
“Cases of environmental pollution are also reported in Aminigboko community, where environmental impact assessment is also under contention by community members. The issues have been reported to the Dutch National Contact Point, who intervened and made recommendations. The company has outrightly refused to address the issues since 10th February 2023 when the recommendation was made.”
The statement said Kebetkache in 2022 had conducted an environmental and socio-economic assessment in Ibaa community, and the key findings from the field revealed a widespread crude oil contamination in the seven groundwater and four soil samples covering a radius of about 6 kilometres based on the risk associated with undue exposure to crude oil contamination, the assessment recommended as an emergency measure that the impacted families and others within 1500 metres across the pipeline right of way be relocated to safe locations within the community, provision of safe drinking water for the community and the rectification of the cause of the leakage in addition to other long term remedies.
“Kebetkache is therefore using this medium to call on the government, global community, SPDC, regulatory agencies and relevant stakeholders to take urgent action to address these issues,” the statement added.
Rivers Community Calls for Urgent Action to Address Pollution
Zamfara: Troops neutralise terrorist, recover arms in Shinkafi LGA
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of the 1 Brigade of the Nigerian Army operating under Operation FANSAN YANMA have neutralised a suspected terrorist and recovered arms during an offensive operation in Shinkafi LGA.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was carried out on March 13 by troops of CT 5, who launched a deliberate clearance mission targeting terrorist camps located at Tubali and Zangon Danmaka.
The sources said the operation followed credible intelligence on the presence of armed bandits and other criminal elements using the locations as operational hideouts.
During the operation at Tubali, troops made contact with the suspected terrorists and engaged them in a brief gun battle, forcing the criminals to flee into nearby forested areas.
“During the engagement, one terrorist was neutralised, while others escaped with possible gunshot wounds,” the source said.
Following the encounter, troops conducted exploitation of the area and recovered one AK-47 rifle, a magazine containing two rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and a motorcycle believed to belong to the fleeing terrorists.
The recovered items were secured by the troops while further search operations were carried out around the camp to ensure that no other threats remained in the vicinity.
The sources added that when troops advanced to Zangon Danmaka, no contact was made with terrorists as the suspects were believed to have fled the area ahead of the troop arrival.
However, troops maintained dominance in the general area while conducting further patrols and surveillance operations aimed at preventing the terrorists from regrouping.
Zamfara: Troops neutralise terrorist, recover arms in Shinkafi LGA
Troops arrest suspected ISWAP spy in Kanama, Yobe
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of 159 Battalion in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force have arrested a suspected spy linked to terrorists operating in the North-East in Kanamma Yobe state.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect, identified as Malam Fantami, a native of Dikwa was apprehended during a security operation by troops deployed in the area.
The sources said the suspect was intercepted following credible intelligence indicating that he might be working as an informant for terrorists affiliated with the ISWAP.
According to the sources, items recovered from the suspect at the time of his arrest included a mobile phone, a smart watch, prayer beads, a motorcycle key, and a cash sum of ₦7,000.
Preliminary examination of the suspect’s mobile phone by security personnel reportedly revealed several suspicious materials, including photographs of motorcycles, large sums of cash, AK-47 rifles and other items believed to be linked to terrorist activities.
“The discovery of these materials has raised serious suspicion about the suspect’s role as a possible logistics informant or intelligence asset for insurgent elements operating in the region,” the source said.
The suspect is currently in military custody, where he is undergoing further interrogation to determine the extent of his involvement with terrorist networks and to identify possible collaborators.
The military high command said the arrest forms part of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts by troops in the North-East aimed at dismantling the intelligence and logistics networks that support insurgent operations.
Kanama, located in Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State near the border with Niger Republic, has remained an important corridor frequently exploited by insurgent groups for movement and supply activities.
Troops arrest suspected ISWAP spy in Kanama, Yobe
Troops repel ISWAP attack in Bita, Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI successfully repelled an attack by terrorists suspected to be members of ISWAP in Bita area of Borno state following a fierce overnight encounter.
Security sources said the attack began at about 1:09 a.m. on Saturday, when the insurgents launched a coordinated assault on troops of the 26 Task Force Brigade deployed in the Bita axis.
According to the sources, the terrorists attempted to overwhelm the troops’ position but were met with stiff resistance from the soldiers who engaged them in a sustained gun battle.
“In a decisive and coordinated operation, gallant troops of Operation Hadin Kai launched a simultaneous land and air assault on terrorist positions in Bita in the early hours of today,” the source said.
The coordinated response involved ground troops engaging the insurgents while aerial support conducted precision strikes and surveillance over the battlefield, forcing the attackers to retreat.
The intense engagement compelled the terrorists to withdraw towards their enclaves after suffering heavy pressure from the combined land and air assault.
Following the withdrawal of the insurgents, troops immediately commenced exploitation operations to pursue fleeing elements of the terrorist group and prevent them from regrouping.
Troops repel ISWAP attack in Bita, Borno
Troops repel attack on Forward Operating Base Azir in Damboa LGA, push back ISWAP terrorists
Troops arrest suspected kidnapper, recover AK-47 in Damaturu
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