Residents of Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State have raised fresh concerns over what they describe as a worsening health crisis linked to a suspected gas leak that has affected the community for more than eight months.
The residents said three people have died within the past week, while cases of miscarriages and other health complications have increased since the incident began.
A teacher in the community also alleged that children have been collapsing in schools in recent weeks, heightening fears over the health impact of the suspected gas emissions.
Vice-President of the Bille Youth Federation, Timothy Agunbiade, said although the Rivers State Government provided N100 million to the community, financial assistance could not replace the health and safety of residents. He called on authorities to declare a health emergency in the area.
During a fact-finding and advocacy visit, the Coordinator of Pilex Centre for Civic Education, Courage Nsirim-Ovu, described the situation as an environmental disaster. He urged the government to evacuate affected residents and urgently identify and stop the source of the gas leak.
Residents of Bille Kingdom first reported gas bubbling from rivers and surrounding land in October 2025. Since then, several civil society organisations have called for an environmental clean-up of the community and other parts of the Niger Delta.
