Residents of Ogoniland in Rivers State staged a peaceful protest over the weekend in the Khana Local Government Area, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately halt ongoing oil exploration activities in 17 communities within the Tai Local Government Area. The protesters cited persistent environmental pollution and the continued degradation of their land and water resources as the major reasons for their action.

The demonstration, which brought together elderly men and women alongside youths from the affected communities, saw participants march through several locations in Bori. They carried placards bearing messages such as “We Say No to Illegal Oil Exploration” and “Our $300 Million Compensation Fund Must Be Accounted For,” among others. According to the protesters, their farmlands and water sources remain heavily polluted and unsafe for use, despite existing recommendations outlined in the United Nations Environment Programme report on the clean-up of Ogoniland.

Speaking during the protest, the convener, Dr Douglas Fabeke, strongly criticized the continued oil exploration activities, describing them as a serious threat to public health and environmental safety. He emphasized that exploration should not proceed without proper environmental remediation and adequate compensation for communities that have suffered long-term damage. Dr Fabeke warned that the health risks faced by residents would continue to worsen if urgent action is not taken.

He further stated that the protesters would escalate their actions if the Federal Government fails to intervene. According to him, plans are already in place to move the protest to Abuja and to various foreign embassies within the next 14 days. This step, he explained, is aimed at drawing the attention of the international community to what he described as illegal oil exploration activities and the ongoing neglect of affected Ogoni communities.

The protesters reiterated their demand for accountability, environmental justice, and immediate government intervention to prevent further harm to their land, livelihoods, and overall well-being.