Nigeria: Oil Spill Chokes Nembe Creek Communities As Residents Seek Intervention

What the report says

An oil spill in Nembe Creek, Bayelsa State, is affecting more than 20 fishing settlements along the waterway, according to a Vanguard report distributed by AllAfrica. The incident was reported on August 22, 2026, when a barge loading crude at a facility operated by Aiteo reportedly ruptured and released oil into the river. Residents say the spill has coated mangroves, waterways and fishing grounds used by families in communities including Mile 1, Mile 2, Mile 3, Roka, Williamkiri, Atonbarakiri and others.

Community leaders and residents say the spill is threatening livelihoods and food supplies. Fishermen and women described damaged nets, reduced access to fishing areas and the loss of aquatic life such as crabs, oysters, periwinkles and crayfish. The paramount ruler of the Nembe Creek communities said people are struggling to support their families and called for regular compensation, while women from affected areas staged a protest at the company’s facility after what they described as a lack of immediate response.

The report says local and state environment officials linked the incident to an operational failure and that a Joint Investigation Visit was expected. It also places the spill in the context of a longer history of oil-related incidents in the area, including earlier major spills after Aiteo took over the facility in 2015. The communities are demanding cleanup, remediation and relief materials, saying the river remains central to their economy and daily survival.