Amnesty International has called on the Nigerian government to urgently investigate dangerous gas leaks reported in the Bille community of Rivers State, warning of serious health and environmental risks to residents.
In a statement on Monday, Amnesty said the leaks, first reported in October 2025, have spread across the coastal community in the Niger Delta, contaminating water sources.
Fishermen said they initially noticed bubbling water and a strong sulphur smell in nearby mangrove swamps and rivers, while residents later reported similar incidents within the town.
Amnesty Nigeria Director, Isa Sanusi, described the situation as alarming, noting that some schoolchildren reportedly fell ill after exposure.
Air quality tests conducted by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency in December 2025 reportedly found methane levels about 10,000 times higher than normal at one location.
The affected area is close to oil facilities previously operated by Shell plc, which said it no longer runs onshore assets in the Niger Delta after selling its subsidiary in 2025.
