From Sola Ojo, Abuja
Hundreds of women from Nissi, Kapam, and Rido communities protested at the Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) on Monday, May 19, accusing the facility of releasing toxic chemicals in August 2024.
The demonstrators, who gathered at 6:00 a.m., claimed the emission caused widespread illness, crop failure, and livestock deaths, severely affecting their livelihoods.
Nissi community leader Mrs. Juliana Abrak said, “We are suffering. There is no food, and we have to go elsewhere in search of something to eat. We have fertile land, but we are too afraid to farm.”
Kapam resident Mrs. Kelita Yaguda alleged inadequate medical support, stating, “They promised to treat us for a week but only attended to a few people for two days. No medical tests were done.”
The protesters criticised KRPC’s lack of engagement and unfulfilled compensation promises. Mrs. Lydia Moses from Kapam noted, “They promised a response within two weeks. It’s now May, and nothing has been done.”
The women demanded urgent action from KRPC and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd. KRPC has not responded as of this report.