The Niger Delta Environmental Justice Lawyers’ Network (NDEJLN) has demanded an independent investigation into the death of Miss Joy Amos, who died from severe burns sustained during a gas explosion at her residence in Bille Community, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The network, in a statement issued by the orgaanisation Chairman – Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, and Secretary – Courage Nsirimovu, following Amos’ death, expressed grief and outrage, describing the incident as a consequence of what it termed systemic negligence and prolonged inaction over gas emissions and pollution in the community.
According to NDEJLN, the explosion occurred on September 3, 2026, destroying residential structures and shattering windows in the affected area.
The group said residents of Bille Kingdom had for more than a year lived with volatile gas seepages and hazardous emissions allegedly affecting their soil, water sources and residential areas.
It added that community members had issued repeated warnings, while scientific reports had reportedly identified critical levels of methane gas in the area.
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NDEJLN said members of the network visited Bille on September 17, 2026, during a fact-finding mission, where they observed what they described as extensive ecological damage, including polluted waterways, fire explosions and hazardous air conditions.
The organisation also alleged that a Federal Government delegation visited the community in July 2026 and promised immediate intervention and emergency infrastructure, but said the commitments had not been implemented before the September 3 explosion.
Declaring the situation a community emergency,” NDEJLN described the Bille crisis as both an environmental and human rights concern.
The network called on the Federal Government, Rivers State Government, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to take immediate action.
Its demands include an independent forensic investigation and autopsy into Amos’ death, deployment of specialised technical teams to identify and permanently seal the source of the gas emissions, and the emergency evacuation of residents in affected areas.
It also called for the provision of potable water, relief materials and emergency healthcare, as well as comprehensive ecological remediation and a public health impact assessment for residents of Bille Kingdom.
NDEJLN further demanded compensation for the family of the deceased and other persons affected by the alleged gas pollution.
“The time for administrative promises has passed,” the organisation said, urging authorities to take immediate and decisive action to protect residents of Bille Kingdom and other communities affected by oil and gas pollution in the Niger Delta.
