/ / NIGERIA: GAS EXPLOSION INJURES RESIDENT; DANGER REMAINS

NIGERIA: GAS EXPLOSION INJURES RESIDENT; DANGER REMAINS

UA: Third 20.26

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The residents of Bille, a town in the Niger Delta, are facing the risk of gas explosions due to the worsening methane leaks that have affected the town since October 2025. Gas from an unidentified source is bubbling up through drinking water wells, cracks in the ground, as well as surrounding water bodies, posing a serious risk to people’s lives and health. Reports have confirmed that a recent gas explosion on September 3 seriously injured a resident in the town.

Nigeria’s National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency must take immediate action to identify and stop the gas leaks.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: March 17, 2027

Here is how you can take action:

Send a letter to the Nigerian authorities
Send an email to the Nigerian authorities
Post on social media

Scroll down to Step 1 and Step 2 to access the full Urgent Action appeal and sample letter, and U.S.P.S. mailing address (if available).

Take action

Step 1

READ THE FULL URGENT ACTION

Enter your email address and zip code to get the sample letter to send to government officials.

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You can now write a letter in your own words or download the sample below as a guide.

Remember to send your letter by March 17, 2027.

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Sample Letter

Dear Engineer Chukwuemeka Woke,

I request that the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) urgently takes action to identify and stop the cause of the methane gas leaks that have been widely observed in the rivers, swamps, and drinking water wells in the town of Bille, in the Niger Delta, and its surroundings. It has been 11 months since the methane gas leaks were discovered and the issue remains unresolved. On September 3, a gas explosion took place at a residence in the Opu Ibiila Community which caused the property’s windows to shatter as well as causing serious burns to a resident’s body. This follows another incident in May 2026 when a water pump ignited, damaging a nearby residence.

NOSDRA, as the government agency charged with responding to oil and gas leaks, must identify the source of the leaking gas as a matter of urgency, so that it can be stopped, and the health and human rights of the people of Bille protected. NOSDRA must publish the results of the water and soil contamination testing survey that it commissioned in December 2025 as so far only the air quality reports have been made available to residents. NOSDRA should also publish new monthly surveys to inform the community of the current gas contamination levels. Supplies of clean drinking water are still not available in sufficient quantities for all residents of the town to consume and wash in.

I call on you to deploy all available resources at NOSDRA towards identifying the cause of the gas leaks in Bille and to stop them before another major incident occurs. NOSDRA must release all available environmental contamination reports to the residents as well as providing clean water and healthcare provisions for everybody in the town.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]

Sample Social Post

11 months after methane gas leaks were discovered in Bille, residents still face explosions and contaminated water. @nosdraofficial must urgently identify and stop the source, release all contamination reports, and ensure clean water for residents #UrgentActionNetworkAIUSA

Send a Tweet to @nosdraofficial

Step 2

Send your message

Mail your letter to the government officials listed below. You can also email, fax, call, or post about them on social media.

Send your letter to:

Engr Chukwuemeka Woke FNSE

Chief Executive of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency

NAIC Building, 5th Floor,

Plot 590, Zone AO, Central Business District

P.M.B 145 Garki, Abuja, Nigeria

[email protected] @nosdraofficial

and

CC: Nigerian Embassy in the United States

Ambassador Nura Aliyu Biu

Send a copy of your letter to the address below

3519 International Court, NW,

Washington, DC 20008

[email protected]

When writing your letter, don’t forget to be factual, brief, and show respect. See more letter writing tips and emails, or organize and host a letter writing party.

Other Urgent Actions for this Case

Second UA Issued: [Nigeria 20.26]

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