The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on both the Federal Government and the Ondo State Government to urgently address the escalating environmental and humanitarian crisis in Abereke community, located in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
In a statement issued on April 12, 2026, following a field assessment, the organisation described the situation in the riverine community as dire and rapidly worsening, citing the combined impact of recurring oil spills and ocean surges that have devastated livelihoods and submerged large portions of land.
CAPPA’s Associate Director, Martins Ogunlade, lamented that the community is facing a preventable disaster fueled by what he termed corporate negligence and government inaction. He noted that residents have been left to grapple with severe environmental degradation and deepening economic hardship.
The group identified a major oil spill that occurred in October, allegedly linked to Guarantee Petroleum Company, as a key contributor to the crisis, with its effects still evident in the community.
CAPPA’s findings revealed extensive pollution of water bodies, destruction of aquatic life, and damage to fishing equipment, including boats, nets, and engines. Domestic animals were also reported dead, further compounding residents’ losses.
Fishing, the primary source of income for the people, has been significantly disrupted, leaving many households struggling to survive and pushing them deeper into poverty.
The organisation also raised concerns over increasing coastal erosion and tidal surges, which have continued to encroach on the community, submerging land and leaving residents vulnerable to further environmental threats.
CAPPA further decried the collapse of essential infrastructure, noting that the community’s only primary school has been destroyed by tidal waves, thereby denying children access to education. The absence of functional healthcare facilities has also heightened residents’ vulnerability, forcing many to depend on local remedies.
Despite multiple petitions and complaints to authorities, CAPPA said there has been little or no response from the Ondo State Government or oil companies operating in the area.
The organisation described the situation as a clear case of environmental injustice, stressing that communities like Abereke continue to suffer the consequences of extractive activities from which they derive little benefit.
CAPPA called for immediate government action, including a comprehensive environmental impact assessment, prompt clean-up of polluted areas, and the construction of coastal defence infrastructure. It also demanded compensation for affected residents, restoration of livelihoods, and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure such as schools.
The group highlighted that oil spillage remains a persistent issue across Ilaje communities, with residents frequently accusing major oil firms, including Agip, Shell, and Chevron, of contributing to environmental degradation in the region.
Reiterating the community’s demands, Ogunlade said the people of Abereke are seeking justice rather than charity, urging authorities to act swiftly to protect lives, restore dignity, and hold polluters accountable.
The statement was signed by Robert Egbe, CAPPA’s Media and Communication Officer.