Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called for urgent intervention by the Federal and Ondo State governments over what it described as a deepening environmental and humanitarian crisis in Abereke community, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, where repeated oil spills and ocean surges have destroyed homes, livelihoods, and public infrastructure.
The organisation made the call in a statement on Sunday, signed by its Media and Communication Officer, Robert Egbe.
The call followed a field visit to the community, CAPPA stated, describing the situation as “devastating and fast deteriorating.”
It warned that residents are facing worsening environmental damage and severe economic hardship.
“Abereke is in the throes of a preventable disaster,” said Martins Ogunlade, Associate Director at CAPPA.
“What we saw is a community abandoned to the combined impacts of corporate irresponsibility and government inaction. This cannot continue.”
According to CAPPA, the most recent oil spill in the area, allegedly linked to Guarantee Petroleum Company, occurred in October last year, and its effects are still being felt across the community.
The organisation said its findings showed widespread contamination of water bodies, destruction of aquatic life, and loss of fishing equipment such as nets, boats, and engines.
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It added that domestic animals have also died, while fishing, the main source of income for residents, has been severely disrupted, pushing many families deeper into poverty.
“The economic base of Abereke is being rapidly eroded. Families are struggling to fish and their animals, including goats, sheep and pigs, are dying. Even access to clean water now comes at a cost. This is a clear case of environmental injustice,” Ogunlade added.
CAPPA also raised concerns over worsening coastal erosion and tidal surges, which it said have submerged large portions of land and left the community increasingly exposed to further environmental damage.
The group further highlighted the collapse of key infrastructure, including the community’s only primary school, which has been destroyed by tidal waves, cutting off access to education for children.
It also noted the absence of healthcare facilities, forcing residents to rely on local remedies despite rising health risks.
Despite repeated complaints and letters to the Ondo State government, CAPPA said the community has received little or no meaningful response from authorities or oil companies operating in the area.
“Communities like Abereke continue to pay the price for extractive activities they do not benefit from. The silence and inaction of both government and corporations are unacceptable,” CAPPA stated.
It called for urgent measures, including a full environmental impact assessment, immediate clean-up of polluted sites, construction of coastal protection infrastructure, compensation for affected residents, and the rebuilding of critical facilities such as schools.
The organisation also noted that oil spills remain a persistent problem across the Ilaje axis of Ondo State, with communities frequently accusing oil companies, including Agip, Shell, Chevron, and Guarantee Petroleum Company of contributing to widespread environmental degradation.
“Like many other suffering communities in Ondo state, the people of Abereke are demanding justice, not charity,” Ogunlade stressed. “Government must act now to protect lives, restore dignity, and hold polluters accountable.”
CAPPA pledged to continue advocating for Abereke and other affected communities through its public platforms and engagement efforts.
Alex is a business journalist cum data enthusiast with the Pinnacle Daily. He can be reached via ealex@thepinnacleng.com, @ehime_alex on X
