Operational Failure Causes Oil Spill in Bayelsa’s Nembe Creek, Affecting Fishing Communities

A Joint Investigation Visit has identified operational failure as the cause of a fresh crude oil spill at the Nembe Creek oilfield in Bayelsa State. The incident occurred during crude loading operations on August 22, 2026, when a manifold reportedly tilted and discharged oil into nearby waterways. More than 20 fishing settlements and communities in Nembe Local Government Area are reportedly affected. Residents say crude has spread through rivers, creeks and mangrove swamps, threatening fish, oysters, crayfish and periwinkles that support local food supplies and household incomes. Community leaders and environmental advocates are demanding urgent containment, a full environmental assessment, cleanup, remediation, relief materials and compensation. Nembe Exploration and Production Limited had not issued a public response at the time of the report, while the volume of crude released and the full extent of the damage remain unclear.

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