By Obiabin Onukwugha
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), has raised alarm about an oil spill from OANDO pipeline in Akinima community, Ahoada West local government area Rivelrs State.
Executive Director of YEAC-NIGERIA, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene, who revealed this in a statement, said the group received a distress report from youths under the auspices of its Crude Oil Spill Alert System (COSAS) of the Youth Volunteers Network in Akinima, about the oil spill on Monday.
He said the spillage, which occurred on January 12, 2026, “is reportedly from a 6-inch pipeline and is still flowing, with the affected area yet to be clamped. This incident is a stark reminder of the recurring oil spillage issues plaguing our environment and communities in the Niger Delta.”
According to the statement, the spillage is suspected to be as a result of third party interference.
“We condemned the act of alleged vandalism and urge the relevant authorities, especially the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and OANDO, the facility operator to take immediate action to contain the spill and prevent further damage to the ecosystem,” the statement read.
The group decried the continuous oil spillage across the Niger Delta region, saying it is not only detrimental to the fragile environment but also poses a significant threat to the health and livelihood of the local communities.
“We reiterate our call on OANDO and the regulatory agencies, including the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), to immediately carry out a joint investigation visit (JIV) to the spillage site, clamp the pipeline to stop further spillage, conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the spillage and invoke relevant sections of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021 to apply, and implement measures to prevent future occurrences.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and advocate for the rights of the affected community while the perpetrators should be brought to book if the JIV report confirms third party interference,” the statement added.
