A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, (YEAC) Nigeria, has called for an urgent investigation into reported crude oil seepages allegedly emerging directly from the ground in Mrihu, also known as Marihu, in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, and Obon Odo in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The environmental advocacy organisation made the call in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday, September 24, 2026, by its Executive Director, Fyneface Dumnamene, following reports received from representatives and YEAC-Nigeria volunteers in the two communities.
According to the organisation, petroleum-like substances are reportedly emerging from the ground at the affected locations, with no visible pipelines, drilling activities or artisanal refining operations at the immediate sites. It said the reported occurrence in Mrihu had allegedly been observed for about three years, while the seepage in Obon Odo was said to have existed for much longer.
YEAC-Nigeria said the reported sites are located at the Mrihu waterfront and within Obon Odo, communities it noted are faced with inadequate access to electricity, potable water, schools and health facilities. The organisation warned that if the reported seepages are confirmed, uncontrolled petroleum discharge close to waterways and farmlands could pose serious risks to public health, livelihoods, aquatic ecosystems and food security.
YEAC-Nigeria said the alleged seepages, which are suspected to be legacy pollution, were reported to the organisation on Monday, September 21, 2026, and have since been under investigation. It stressed that the incidents were still being investigated because of their “complex and complicated nature”, adding that independent verification and confirmation by relevant authorities remained necessary.
According to the statement, Mrihu community in Oyigbo LGA is located within Oil Mining Lease, OML 11, operated by NNPC E&P Ltd, with Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, identified as the historical operator. It added that Obon Odo community falls within OML 13, operated by 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, JIV, involving the operators, affected communities, state and local governments, civil society organisations, media and relevant technical agencies. It also urged authorities to collect samples of the substance, soil, water and vegetation under proper chain-of-custody procedures and subject them to independent laboratory analysis.
The environmental group further called for an assessment of the environmental, health, social and livelihood impacts of the reported seepages on residents of the affected communities. It urged authorities to determine whether the reported occurrences constitute natural seepage or are linked to existing petroleum assets, historical operations or other sources, while also identifying the actual responsible operator or leaseholder for the affected areas.
YEAC-Nigeria said it would support community access, information gathering and engagement with relevant authorities, noting that it had the consent of the affected people to liaise between the communities and authorities in addressing the incidents for their development benefit.
