Residents of Egweama community in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have raised the alarm over a crude oil spill that polluted their shoreline and surrounding waters, disrupting fishing and threatening the livelihoods of residents who depend largely on the trade.
Latest: Earlier Bayelsa oil-spill reports and community concerns
Key Highlights
- The spill reportedly occurred on Sunday, November 1, 2026, in Egweama, Brass LGA.
- Fishermen say crude oil in the water disrupted fishing and damaged some nets.
- Community members allege that vessels carrying crude may have discharged oil, but the source has not been officially established.
- Residents are asking the Bayelsa Government for cleanup, medical support and relief materials.
- ECARD has called on NOSDRA, NUPRC and state authorities to investigate and ensure cleanup.
Crude Oil Spill Disrupts Fishing Activities in Egweama
The Environmental Conservation Agriculture and Rural Development (ECARD) said the incident was confirmed by Egweama Community Development Committee Chairman Tonye Yemoleigha and other residents, following a field investigation led by environmental activist Alagoa Morris.
The source of the spill has not been officially established. Some community members have accused Aiteo, alleging that vessels transporting crude from Nembe Creek to the Atlantic Ocean may have discharged oil into surrounding waters.
Affected resident Ebimiete David said crude oil began washing ashore between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday. She said the volume increased around 8 p.m. as the high tide brought more crude to the shoreline.
Residents spent the night scooping oil into containers until about 3 a.m., David said, when the tide receded and carried much of the crude back to sea.
Fishermen Count Losses as Oil Pollution Damages Nets
Chief Souyo Amasara Alagoa-Inengite II, a fishing camp settler, said the pollution had prevented fishermen from going to sea. He said the water surface was covered with crude oil when fishermen tried to deploy their nets between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Alagoa said some fishing nets had been damaged, leaving fishermen without access to their main source of livelihood. During its field investigation, ECARD observed jerrycans, drums and plastic containers filled with crude oil collected along the shoreline. Some young people were also seen transferring recovered oil into containers on Monday morning.
The incident has raised concerns about environmental impacts and economic hardship for families dependent on fishing.
Egweama Community Appeals for Urgent Intervention
In a statement titled “Oil Spill: Egweama Community Cries Out for Immediate Help, Cleanup,” Yemoleigha appealed to the Bayelsa State Government to intervene and compel the oil company or organisation found responsible to remediate and clean up the polluted environment.
The CDC chairman also called for medical assistance and relief materials to cushion the socioeconomic effects on residents. He said the community depended heavily on the river for its livelihoods.
Residents are concerned that prolonged pollution could further affect fishing and the availability of safe water and other environmental resources.
ECARD Raises Concern Over Unidentified Offshore Oil Spills
ECARD said the Egweama incident reflects the challenge of offshore spills where the source has not been identified, making it difficult to establish responsibility and secure remediation.
The organisation recalled a January 2024 spill reported in Foropa community, Southern Ijaw LGA, and a 2021 offshore spill around Sangana in Brass and Koluama in Southern Ijaw, where Conoil was allegedly implicated. ECARD said NOSDRA collected samples from affected locations, but the results were not made public.
ECARD said scientific fingerprint analysis of crude samples is needed to determine the source of offshore spills and identify responsible operators. It called for stronger environmental monitoring, better-funded and equipped laboratories, and cooperation among regulators, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Navy.
Read also:
- Oando Underwater Leak in Bayelsa Raises Environmental Concerns
- Oil Spill Cleanup In Bayelsa Below Acceptable Standards – ECARD
Bayelsa Oil Spill Raises Fresh Concerns Over Environmental Protection
ECARD said oil spills should not deprive fishing communities of their livelihoods, health and right to a clean environment.
For Egweama residents, the immediate priorities are to identify the source of the spill, clean up polluted waters and provide medical support and relief for affected fishermen. Attention is on environmental regulators to investigate and help prevent further harm to the community’s fishing economy.
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