By SpringNewsNG

Residents of Ogale Community in Rivers State staged a peaceful protest on Thursday, demanding urgent action from Shell over a recent oil spill that has worsened environmental pollution in the area.

Dressed in black to symbolize mourning for their damaged land and livelihoods, protesters held placards with messages such as “SHELL HAS POISONED OUR GROUNDWATER” and “SHELL, CLEAN UP YOUR MESS.” The demonstration took place at a Shell Company manifold, where an oil spill had overflowed from a containment pit, further contaminating the environment.

The protest coincided with a UK High Court hearing, where over 13,000 farmers and fishers from Ogale and Bille communities are suing Shell for decades of oil pollution that have devastated their lands, waterways, and means of survival.

Speaking at the protest, Ogoni environmental activist Celestine Akpobiri condemned both the Nigerian government and Shell for prioritizing oil production over environmental restoration.

“You cannot turn on the tap and mop the floor at the same time,” Akpobiri said. “If the cleanup is supposed to take 30 years and barely seven have passed, why resume drilling now? Only a fool would worsen a crisis while claiming to fix it. Human lives must come first.”

Akpobiri highlighted the severe impact of continuous oil spills and gas flaring, stressing that they have poisoned the land and water.

“Our crops fail, our groundwater is toxic. Even boreholes yield contaminated water. Cassava, our livelihood, no longer grows. Shell must pay for this destruction.”

Women’s leader Kagima Igwe-Benjamin also voiced her frustration.

“Our land is ruined. We have no clean water, no food. Our children suffer illnesses. Shell must clean this mess and restore our environment.”

Decades of oil spills in the Niger Delta have led to severe environmental damage, displacement of communities, economic hardship, and a growing public health crisis. Despite legal battles and global pressure, many residents feel that Shell and the government have failed to take meaningful action.

The outcome of the UK High Court case remains crucial in determining whether these communities will finally receive justice and compensation for the environmental devastation they have endured.

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