Speaking during the tour and subsequent town hall meeting titled People’s Assembly Parliament, the Executive Director of Social Action, Isaac Osuoka, accused the federal government and its regulatory agencies of allegedly abandoning the community despite the severity of the situation.

He stated that all groundwater in Bille has been “totally and completely polluted,” destroying fish, aquatic life, and the traditional livelihoods of residents. “We are here today because of the failure of the Nigerian state. This hydrocarbon eruption started in 2025. For over six months now, the people of Bille have been going through this, and the Nigerian state has failed to respond,” he said.

Osuoka faulted President Bola Tinubu, who also serves as Minister of Petroleum, for allegedly failing to protect the Niger Delta. According to him, “President Tinubu appointed himself Petroleum Minister with the responsibility to protect the interests of Nigeria and Nigerians, including the lands. But Bille Kingdom is not protected.

“NOSDRA came here to do tests. They did air tests, water tests, soil tests, and they have lied that the air quality in Bille is safe.”

Osuoka also criticised the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for alleged inactiveness to the situation, adding: “Up till now, NUPRC has not done anything. They have done nothing to respond to the emergency in Bille. There is a health crisis in Bille. People are at risk of death. This community can burn down any day, but NUPRC has not responded.”

He added that the Federal Ministry of Health, Ministry of Water Resources, and emergency agencies “have done nothing in Bille,” describing the situation as an outrage. While commending River State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for donating N100 million through his representative for a medical outreach, Osuoka said the intervention was, however, inadequate.

“I commend Governor Fubara for his intervention, but he has not demonstrated adequate responsibility over the matters of Bille and the Niger Delta. This community, the people of Bille, are citizens of Rivers State; they are citizens of Nigeria; they are sick, and there is an emergency here that deserves more than just that response.”

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Chairman, Eastern Zone, Datolu Sukubo, said the Federal Government has failed to intervene in the Bille gas leaks since October last year and accused NNPCL and oil companies of avoiding responsibility.

He threatened that “If the government doesn’t declare a state of emergency on this Bille situation, they should prepare to bring all their armies to come and shoot us at the platforms.”

Also speaking, a prominent Niger Delta environmental activist, Ms. Annkio Briggs, said the scale of the crisis had gone beyond temporary interventions and required decisive action from the federal government.

The paramount ruler of Bille Kingdom, His Majesty Igbikingeri Herbert, who spoke through Chief Napoleon Hezekiah, Secretary, Land Health and Environment Committee, Bille Council of Chiefs, expressed sadness that “the environment is highly polluted, the air quality is bad, the water quality is bad, and all parameters are above permissible level.”

He called on the federal government to act now and not sleep on the situation in Bille Kingdom.

Meanwhile, in commemoration of the Day of the African Child 2026, the Executive Director of the Centre for Gender Equity and Sustainable Development, Chief Constance Meju, regretted that the oil spills and pollution have destroyed creeks and shallow wells that children depend on, saying that many still drink water that causes diarrhea, skin rashes, and long-term health damage.

Meju, who is also a Port Harcourt-based media guru, stressed that “every community must have access to clean water. When children have water, they have health. When they have health, they have a future.”

She added: “Right now, fire is burning in Billie in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State where gas is bubbling underneath the ground, forcing contaminated water to be thrown up, eliciting fear and panic among the people.”

However, the ministry confirmed that the Value Added Tax (VAT) waiver on petrol remains active to shield Nigerian households and businesses from global energy market disruptions.

Duke said implementing a fuel surcharge would require a specific ministerial order and a formal publication in the Official Gazette, neither of which is currently being considered. The ministry also noted that previous telecommunications excise duties introduced before 2023 have been officially repealed under newer tax laws.

“With respect to petroleum products, the Value Added Tax (VAT) waiver currently applicable to fuel remains in place and has not been withdrawn,” Duke explained.

“The suspended taxes have helped to moderate domestic fuel prices below international averages and neighbouring countries serving as a cushion on the impact of global energy market disruption on Nigerian households and businesses. The Federal Government also wishes to clarify that the telecommunications excise duty introduced prior to 2023 has been repealed under the new tax laws and is therefore no longer applicable.”

The ministry urged stakeholders, businesses, and the public to disregard the inaccurate reports, reiterating the government’s commitment to maintaining a transparent, growth-oriented tax system. Duke concluded by assuring the public that any genuine updates to tax policy would be communicated directly through official channels and handled strictly according to due process.

“We have lost men, even soldiers, officers. I can confirm to you that a lieutenant in the Nigerian Army was killed two days ago,” Makinde told the protesters.

The governor did not give details of the circumstances surrounding the officer’s death. He, however, said the incident showed the danger faced by security operatives involved in the rescue operation.

Makinde assured residents that security agencies were still working to rescue the victims while trying to avoid further casualties.

He said the state government would not allow the abduction to become a prolonged national tragedy like the 2014 abduction of schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State.

“Oyo State is not Chibok, and it will not be Chibok,” he said.

The governor added that authorities were committed to exhausting all available options to secure the release of the victims and prevent further loss of lives.

Makinde said security agencies were balancing the need for decisive action with the responsibility to protect both the captives and personnel involved in the operation.

He further stated, “We’re doing everything possible. We’ve lost a teacher already. If we can avoid losing more, we will avoid losing more.”

The governor said he was personally prepared to make sacrifices if necessary to secure the freedom of the abducted victims.

Makinde added, “But if we get to the point that certain people have to be sacrificed, including myself, we will do it. I’ve lived a good life. I’m almost 60. It doesn’t matter. My own father died at 76.”

The victims were abducted on May 15 when gunmen attacked Community High School, Esiele; L.A. Primary School, Yawota; and another nearby school in Oriire Local Government Area.

The victims were reportedly taken into the Old Oyo National Park, one of Nigeria’s largest forest reserves.

One teacher, identified as Michael Oyedokun, was later killed, while other victims remain in captivity.