Amnesty International has warned that residents of Bille in Rivers State’s Niger Delta face a growing health emergency linked to suspected methane gas leaks. The group said the leaks have contaminated drinking water, disrupted community life and forced some schoolchildren to relocate for safety.
According to the rights group, the problem began in October 2025 when fishermen noticed unusual bubbling in a mangrove swamp and nearby river, several kilometres from the town. The bubbling water reportedly gave off a strong sulphurous smell, and similar incidents were later observed in several other locations, including inside the community.
Amnesty International said some residents discovered the air around the bubbling sites could be ignited, raising fears that flammable gas may be escaping into the environment. It added that the area affected appears to be expanding, while little has been done so far to stop the leaks or determine their source.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) visited Bille on 7 April to begin an investigation and directed oil companies operating nearby to find a solution. Amnesty International welcomed the move but said the response has been too slow and urged authorities to accelerate the probe and make the findings public.
Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International Nigeria’s Country Director, described the situation as deeply concerning. He said the leaks are already affecting access to clean water and have made daily life more difficult for residents, including schoolchildren who reportedly fell ill and experienced vomiting.
He said the government has both a legal and moral duty to protect citizens from environmental harm and potential human rights violations. Sanusi called for the source of the leak to be identified immediately and for urgent steps to secure the community before the situation becomes catastrophic.
The suspected leak sites are close to several oil and gas installations in the Niger Delta, including pipelines and oil wells once operated by Shell before it divested from onshore operations in Nigeria in 2025. However, the exact source of the methane leak is still unknown as investigations continue.