Bille Kingdom gas explosion prompts calls for independent probe

The civil society organization Spaces for Change (S4C) is demanding an independent technical investigation and an Environmental and Legacy Liability Assessment (ELLA) following a gas explosion in Bille Kingdom, Rivers State. The incident, which occurred on September 3, 2026, in the Degema Local Government Area, reportedly took place in a residential room and left a woman with severe burn injuries.

S4C Executive Director Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri noted that the explosion follows persistent community complaints regarding gas odors, gas bubbling through waterways, and seepage in residential areas. The organization warns that these conditions pose significant risks to public health, community safety, fisheries, and local livelihoods.

The requested assessment aims to identify the source and migration pathways of the gas, evaluate the condition of air, soil, and water, and examine petroleum infrastructure. S4C emphasizes that the investigation should establish accountability for environmental damage and determine the responsibilities and costs for remediation and ecological restoration.