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By Omoniyi Salaudeen
The Ijaw Professionals Association, in collaboration with the Coalition of Ijaw Interest Groups (CIIG), has officially classified the severe environmental and humanitarian crisis in Rivers State’s Bille community as a “continuing crime against humanity.”
In a statement signed by its President, Pattison Boleigha and BoT Chairman, Maj. Gen. Paul Alaowei Toun (Retd), the association condemned what it described as total abandonment by federal and state authorities.
“The community has faced an escalating catastrophe for years, where toxic gas bubbles uncontrollably through land, rivers, and dug-out water wells due to decades of unmitigated oil and gas operations.
The situation recently turned tragic with the death of Miss Joy Amos, who succumbed to severe whole-body burns and respiratory complications following a devastating gas explosion. With air heavily saturated with gas and groundwater producing contaminated, blackish liquid, locals face severe health crises while relying on compromised water sources,” the group stated.
The association placed direct responsibility on a broad spectrum of leaders, including the Federal Government, the Ministers of State for Petroleum Resources, operating oil companies—including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC)—and Rivers State Governor. Other entities put on notice include local legislators, grassroots council leadership, and traditional rulers for failing to address the widespread devastation.
Criticising past approaches as ineffective half-measures, the group rejected routine letters and appeals in favour of organised advocacy and lawful mass action. They urged affluent Ijaw figures currently funding political campaigns to redirect resources toward environmental justice and legal enforcement instead.
Furthermore, the group appealed directly to the international community, including the United Nations Secretary-General, the World Health Organization, UNEP, Amnesty International, and the International Criminal Court. They are urging immediate humanitarian relief, environmental remediation, and accountability for the suffering in the Niger Delta.
