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Niger Delta Cries Out For Oil Giant Shell to Clean Up Toxic Mess

Activists, including King Okabi of the Ogale community, have called for an end to oil giant Shell's pollution in the Niger Delta and demanded compensation as the trial between Ogale and Bille communities and Shell begins.

For over 60 years, Shell's poorly maintained pipelines and inadequate clean-up efforts have contaminated water sources, destroyed farmland, and devastated the lives of the 30 million people in the Niger Delta, many of whom live in poverty. 

At least 13,500 Ogale and Bille residents in the Niger Delta have filed claims against Shell, accusing the company of ruining their environment and livelihoods. The pollution caused widespread devastation to the local environment, killing fish and plant life, and leaving thousands of people without access to clean drinking water. According to the UN, at least 7,000 oil spill incidents have occurred in the region since 1958.

Amnesty International has called for the need for Shell to take full responsibility and ensure the affected communities receive justice.

InFocus

Amnesty International

Hand-covered in oily mud, Bodo Creek (file photo).

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