Despite claims that its operations in Ogoniland have ceased, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) continues to face serious allegations regarding environmental pollution, oil theft, and clandestine activities in the Niger Delta. Community leaders, environmental activists, and former members of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) have raised concerns that the company’s abandoned infrastructure still leaks crude oil, severely impacting the livelihoods of indigenous communities.
During a recent press conference and consultation facilitated by Lincgreen Climate Change Initiative, leaders of MOSOP and other key stakeholders alleged that Shell is still engaged in covert oil drilling operations in Ogoniland. The discussion held on Sep 1, 2024 , brought together former and current MOSOP leaders, youth representatives, and environmental justice advocates to expose the lingering exploitation of Ogoni resources.
Shell’s Alleged Connection to Oil Theft and Illegal Drilling
One of the most striking revelations from the discussion was the allegation that Shell is actively involved in oil theft through a network of criminals disguised as sea pirates. According to T. Dick S. Nwiku, a former Personal Assistant to Ken Saro-Wiwa and a veteran activist in the MOSOP movement, these groups operate under the guise of piracy but function as middlemen for oil companies.
“What we are witnessing is a well-orchestrated scheme of deception. Shell may have publicly distanced itself from oil extraction in Ogoniland, but their infrastructure is still active in the most suspicious ways. These so-called sea pirates are not just random criminals; they are pawns in a larger network of illegal oil dealings.” – T. Dick S. Nwiku
Nwiku emphasized that these activities are not isolated incidents but rather part of a broader corporate strategy to maintain illicit oil flows while avoiding accountability.
Another source, a community leader who preferred to remain anonymous due to security concerns, stated:
“If Shell has truly left, why do we still see oil-laden vessels moving in and out of these waters at night? Why do pipelines that should have been decommissioned still function? We have evidence that some of these spills are not accidents but deliberate acts to create an illusion of abandonment.”
This perspective was echoed by other Ogoni elders, who expressed fears that the continued oil leaks are not just remnants of past operations but signs of ongoing activities conducted under secrecy.
The Environmental and Social Toll of Abandoned Infrastructure
Shell’s old infrastructure remains a ticking environmental time bomb in the region. Lincgreen’s environmental assessment team, working with local volunteers, documented extensive evidence of pipeline leaks, gas flares, and oil spills in areas that were supposedly shut down. These findings support the assertion that Shell’s negligence—whether through abandonment or covert activities—is perpetuating environmental degradation in Ogoniland.
MOSOP leaders argue that the lack of accountability enables multinational corporations to exploit indigenous lands with impunity. The failure of HYPREP (Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project) to fully remediate pollution, despite billions of dollars allocated to cleanup efforts, further exacerbates distrust within the Ogoni community.
“We are not just talking about pollution; we are talking about a form of slow violence that has poisoned our rivers, destroyed our farms, and left our people with illnesses that nobody wants to acknowledge.” – Anonymous Youth Activist, Ogoniland
Calls for Justice and Policy Reform
Lincgreen Climate Change Initiative, alongside other advocacy groups, has called for a full-scale investigation into these allegations and the immediate decommissioning of Shell’s abandoned infrastructure. Additionally, Lincgreen is advocating for:
- Strengthening community-based environmental monitoring to document ongoing pollution.
- Holding oil companies accountable through legal and international pressure.
- Accelerating the transition to renewable energy to reduce dependency on fossil fuels.
- Ensuring Loss & Damage finance for impacted communities.
- Empowering local youth through education and advocacy to resist corporate exploitation.
Conclusion: The Struggle Continues
The revelations from the MOSOP consultation reaffirm what many in the Niger Delta have long suspected: Shell’s influence in Ogoniland is far from over. While the company may claim to have ceased operations, the persistence of oil spills, the strategic presence of sea pirates, and the continued economic strangulation of Ogoni communities tell a different story.
As Ogoniland continues to fight for justice, organizations like Lincgreen Climate Change Initiative remain committed to amplifying local voices, pushing for policy reforms, and ensuring that the truth about environmental exploitation is not silenced. The struggle for environmental justice in Ogoniland is not over, and with the resilience of its people, it never will be.
