The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre , YEAC-Nigeria, said it has received report of alleged crude oil seepages directly from the ground in two location- Mrihu in Oyigbo Local Government Area, Rivers State and Obon-Odo.in Ukanafun local government Area, Akwa Ibom state.
According to YEAC-Nigeria press statement by its Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, said preliminary information by representatives and it volunteers in both Communities, petroleum-like substance are emerging from the ground with no visible pipelines, drilling, or artisanal refining at the immediate sites.
Information available to YEAC-NIGERIA has it that the Rivers incident is said to have been observed for about three years, while the Akwa Ibom occurrence is said to have existed for much longer.
However, the reported sites are at the Mrihu Waterfront and inside On Odo where communities lack electricity, potable water, schools and health facilities. The statement furthered revealed that, if confirmed, uncontrolled seepage near waterways and farmlands poses serious risks to public health, livelihoods, aquatic life and food security.
Although, according to YEAC-NIGERIA in it’s statement, the alleged seepages, suspected to be legacy pollution were reported to.tje Advocacy Centre on Monday, September 21, 2026, as “oil spills” have been under investigation for days now due to their complex and complicated nature and the investigation is still ongoing, the incidents still require independent verification and confirmation by the authorities.
Location of the oil spills
The Mrihu community in Oyigbo local government Area is in OML 11, operated by NNPC E&P Limited with SPDC as historical operator while Obon Odo community falls within Oil Mining Lease OML 13, operated by the NNPC Exploration & Production Limited/Natural Oilfield Services Limited – Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Company (SEEPCO) Joint Venture.
YEAC-NIGERIA therefore called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, to urgently lead a joint Investigation visit with operators, communities, State, local governments, Civil Society Organisations, media and relevant technical agencies to the sites.
YEAC-NIGERIA also.urged the collection of samples substance, soil, water and vegetation under proper chain-of- custody and conduct independent laboratory analysis, suggesting Environmental Assessment, health, social and livelihood impacts of the seepages on the people .
YEAC-NIGERIA pledge it support for successful community access, information gathering and community engagement as it has the consent of the people to liaise between them and the authorities on the incidents to address the issues for their development benefit.
