Women in Kaduna State are protesting alleged chemical pollution from a refinery, which they say has devastated their health, farmland, and livelihoods

Women from the Nissi, Kapam, and Rido communities staged a protest at the Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) on Monday, alleging that chemical pollution has severely impacted their health, farmland, and livelihoods.

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The protesters gathered at the refinery as early as 6:00 a.m., accusing the company of releasing a harmful chemical in August 2024. They claim this release led to widespread illness, the destruction of crops, and the death of livestock.

Mrs. Juliana Abrak, the women’s leader of the Nissi community, described the dire situation, stating, “We are suffering.

There is no food, and we have to go elsewhere in search of something to eat. We have fertile land, but we are too afraid to farm.”

She also criticized the company’s alleged failure to engage with the protesters, despite their presence at the premises since 5:00 a.m.

Mrs. Kelita Yaguda, a resident of Kapam, recounted her personal experience with the suspected chemical exposure. “They took some of us to the hospital but only gave us paracetamol and ulcer medication.

We are suffering. There is no food, and we have to go elsewhere in search of something to eat. We have fertile land, but we are too afraid to farm.

They promised to treat us for a week but only attended to a few people for two days,” she said. Yaguda added that no medical tests were conducted, and the community continues to suffer from ongoing health issues and worsening food insecurity.

“Some of our children have even resorted to stealing out of hunger. We are more than 500 people, yet fewer than 50 received any form of assistance,” she stated.

Mrs. Lydia Moses, a women’s leader from Kapam, reported that KRPC officials had repeatedly stated that compensation would be provided by authorities in Abuja, but no support has materialized.

“They came in December, documented the damage, and promised a response within two weeks. It’s now May, and nothing has been done. Our crops have failed, our livestock have died, and some women have even suffered miscarriages,” she said.

The women are demanding urgent action from both KRPC and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. to address their health concerns and provide compensation to affected families.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that, as of the time of filing this report, KRPC officials had not responded to the protesters.