The residents of the town of Bille, in Nigeria’s Niger Delta, are continuing to face a serious health emergency. Since October 2025, methane gas has been bubbling up in nearby rivers and swamps and is now affecting a significant amount of the town’s drinking wells. Bille’s school children have been forced to move to another community for safety. On April 7, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission visited Bille to launch an investigation into the leaks and has ordered oil companies operating nearby to find a solution. While this is a positive development, little has been done to identify and stop the leaks.
Amnesty International continues to call for the investigation to be expedited, for the findings to be made public, and for action to be taken to stop the gas leaks.
PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: August 1, 2026
Here is how you can take action:
- Send an email to the Nigerian authorities
- Send a letter to the Nigerian authorities
- Post on social media
Scroll down to Step 1 and Step 2 to access the full Urgent Action appeal, email to the Nigerian authorities, and sample letter, and U.S.P.S. mailing address (if available).
Dear Rt. Honourable Ekperikpe Ekpo,
I am writing to urge you to take immediate action to protect residents of the Bille community, Rivers State, from methane gas leaks bubbling through at least 70% of water wells, as well as nearby rivers and swamps. First reported by fishermen in October 2025 several kilometres from Bille, the leaks have since spread across the area, including Bille town centre. On April 1, the Rivers State Governor announced a 100 million Naira (approx. 75,000 USD) relief package for food, safe water, medical supplies, and relocating schoolchildren.
Government investigations are ongoing into the source and health impacts. On April 7, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) visited Bille with representatives of oil companies operating in the area, carried out further tests, and directed the companies to work together on a solution. However, months after authorities became aware of the crisis, the community still lacks adequate protection. In December 2025, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) reported methane at one site at 10,000 times normal background levels.
I therefore ask you to use your authority to expedite the NUPRC investigation, publish the results of this and all previous investigations, and ensure immediate measures are taken to stop the leaks. I also request additional relief funding so the community can access essential supplies, including safe drinking water, until the leak is resolved and clean water is restored.
Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
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