Ecocide is now feared in a community in Rivers state, Nigeria, where gas leaks have persisted since October 2025. Environmental scientists have found a heavy presence of methane gas, formalin, formaldehyde, hydrogen sulphide, sulfur oxide, carcinogens, and carbon dioxide, which are deadly to human organs. The scientists began testing water and air in the Bille gas seepage crisis, which started about a year ago. The situation has sparked a severe health and environmental emergency in the area.
The environmental scientists, led by Courage Nsirimovu, a lawyer and environmental rights advocate, conducted tests and inspections in various compounds, revealing gas leaks and a gas bubbling sound. A sample of sparkling colorless water turned black after 15 seconds, indicating high-intensity gas leaks in the Bille community. Nsirimovu expressed regret that the gas leaks matter has lingered, leading to an alleged gas explosion at a location known as Joy Amos. He demanded full compensation for the victims and remediation of the environment.
Eferegbo Fortune Uchenna, an environmental scientist, gave his opinion on field observations, indicating possible gas seepage from the subsurface. He said the toxins found could be bad for people, especially the elderly and children, whose lungs are not properly developed. Uchenna confirmed that the water in the area is polluted, saying, "The people are drinking poison." He joined in calling for a state of emergency in Bille, saying the community is not a place where human beings should stay.
The Bille gas leak first began in October 2025, when residents and fishermen reported toxic gas bubbling to the surface in nearby rivers, swamps, and drinking wells. The continuous seepage of methane and other gases sparked a severe health and environmental emergency in the area. The situation escalated in May 2026, when leaking gas ignited and erupted into fire at multiple spots, including an abandoned water mono pump.
Gov Sim Fubara approved a ₦100 million relief fund for the Bille community on April 1, 2026, as immediate palliative support to mitigate the impacts of persistent gas emissions and seepages. However, activists believe that more needs to be done to address the situation. The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) announced a fire incident in Bille on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
The environmental and medical experts have urged the Rivers State Government to evacuate the residents and stop the leakage in the polluted Bille community. Timothy Agunbade, the executive vice president of the Bille kingdom Youth Federation, lamented the current situation of the community, saying people are experiencing signs consistent with a potentially contaminated and hazardous environment.
The situation in Bille has sparked concerns about genocide, with activists believing that leaders' inaction may have initiated deaths of a large population of people. The experts and advocates are calling for urgent action to rescue the Bille people of Rivers State.
Key points
- Ecocide is feared in Bille community due to persistent gas leaks since October 2025.
- Scientists found carcinogens, deadly gases in the area, posing a severe health and environmental emergency.
- Experts urge the Rivers State Government to evacuate residents and stop the leakage in the polluted community.
