The Battle Raging In Nigeria Over Control Of Oil

Nigeria may sit atop one of the largest oil reserves in the world, but the majority of the Nigerian people have seen little benefit from the multibillion-dollar industry. The government and global energy companies have been exploiting the resource for years, bringing poverty, pollution, and violence to the Niger Delta. And now the local militias fighting for oil control have made conditions even worse.
Caught in the conflict are Nigerian citizens involved in the illegal oil market simply for survival. Oil theft is rampant, and the booming black market has transnational oil and gas consultants concerned about the effects on global oil markets. The government isn't too happy about it either.
“All the oil that is sold around here, the government calls illegally refined products,” local oil businessman Don Wizaro told VICE News. And when the Nigerian military raids illegal oil operations, they slash containers, releasing oil into waterways, contaminating what the main source of fishing, agriculture, and drinking water.
As the government continues its assault on illegal refineries and barges carrying stolen oil, local militias are retaliating. And one of the most notorious militias is the Niger Delta Avengers. They attack pipelines and infrastructure, significantly affecting both the environment and the economy.
VICE correspondent Gianna Toboni heads to the heart of Nigeria's oil production to witness firsthand the fight over the control of oil in the Niger Delta.
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[@VICENews]

VICE correspondent Gianna Toboni heads to the heart of Nigeria's oil production to witness firsthand the fight over the control of oil in the Niger Delta. WATCH more VICE on HBO - bit.ly/2HSx4pm

[@klauspatriksen8669]

You stole my 2016 research paper.

[@moztar6247]

The soldiers came to destroy the warehouse and markets because you came with your cameras! It is directly your fault they did that. Thank you

[@fabiosunspot1112]

VICE News leave the people alone,go speak to the people on the oil platforms...

[@xroycerollzaeatgmailxroyce3929]

www.bbc.com/news/av/world-africa-17793234/how-oil-is-being-stolen-in-nigeria

[@salimwheatgrass6711]

Go and talk with the thieves in the government who loot the oil money.

[@12345heyden]

"not good for the environment" *pours diesel into river*

[@user-ri5xq7hr4u]

lol took them words right out of my mouth

[@alexrobinson7127]

"its more dangerous if the oil leaves this village. people in society might use to drive their cars" as he dumps oil on oil into the river where the villagers fish

[@leevkop8229]

okay so I'm not 100% sure about this but I believe that he meant that the oil is very low quality, and that it is therefore not safe to use. He points out that it is low quality whilst they are dumping it.

[@carvajalm.a36]

@@leevkop8229 it is blue, meaning it is of very high quality....

[@leevkop8229]

@@carvajalm.a36 you sure that isn't the reflection of the blue barrels? Edit: hmm dunno man, just saying what I understood from the video

[@jalen7690]

"I feed you, you get fat, you make money, you live large and you keep me in the poverty stage" I felt that

[@AliHussein-br4ye]

@Josh Skipka Your post is a good example of an argument that's in favor of Wage Slavery. Keep people poor so only the handful that are already wealthy can continue to exploit the labor of those that are worse off and in no meaningful position to bargain/negotiate or they'll face destitution.

[@deadchannelsnailkiller7088]

@Josh Skipka they had no choice it is a huge oil company just because that’s how it works doesn’t mean it’s good

[@hayemofackel]

I mean it's all relative isn't it? He could be helping people less fortunate than himself, there are alot of em ,probably right there in his own town. But just like all of us ,his main drive is nothing more than to better his situation. And I'm not trying to be rude either. It's just the way we are. It's nature.

[@amits4544]

These guys are talented... producing diesel without any proper machinery

[@rizkyrakhmat1]

Need to admit they are something

[@noirnit.]

No its primitive. People have been refining oil for almost 200 years...

[@alsuarecords7777]

Mr. Bacon still it’s rather impressive!

[@garretth8224]

@@noirnit. They most likely don't have the internet or access to decent libraries so they had to learn this through trial and error. That's what is impressive.

[@bryanx5829]

they might be former oil workers

[@MrVijay0611]

"This entire town is black". Welcome to Nigeria

[@williama6237]

Nuke site

[@manny_menin022]

No shit you're in Africa.....oh wait you're talking about the land

[@Sebastianator01]

@@williama6237 indirect racism is still racism

[@kevinodom2918]

@@manny_menin022 you do know all people in africa aren't black?

[@bruceleewayne8252]

@@kevinodom2918 and if they aren’t they migrated there at Some point, you know.

[@urmaker]

"Here, let's just dump this fuel all over here and let it leak into our food and water.". SMH.

[@Embassy97]

i cant believe thos cops are not in chains themselves their disregard for air water and human in the area why are they so stupid

[@mahmoudkandil8538]

The authorities are far worse than the so called criminals

[@drinkmorewater5388]

Whats good homie? Love your channel dude I listen to it every night to fall asleep. Out of all of the horror narrators, you have some of the best production value on your videos and they are always a big pleasure to watch. Keep up the fantastic work buddy!

[@michaelmungai8559]

@@Embassy97 who's going to arrest them? this is not the us, this is africa. things happen differently here.

[@georgewashington5675]

urmaker i know right... "it is bad if this unrefined oil gets into our markets and into our vehicles so we just cut it open next to this river that feeds thousands of people" good logic, your country is gonna soar

[@matthewcragg3607]

Jeez...if you're going to strike the illegal oil producers at least send trucks and cart the product away instead of dumping it into the rivers. This is nuts.

[@hisexcellencypresidentofre4118]

Absolutely

[@stanleychukwu7424]

@Louis Dega actually, your comment actually speaks for you! You're the only one around here who's IQ is low

[@lavahot5512]

That's what I was thinking!

[@Dan-nj7tr]

After seeing this I truly believe there is no hope for Africa.

[@truitons]

meanwhile ... i have to pay taxes on co2 and my country have to do more to stop global warming ahahahaha im out.

[@dipro001]

This is so heartbreaking. I feel so bad for those innocent people stuck in this situation with no way out.

[@stephenamimi6386]

As a Nigerian who has seen first hand the activities between the government and this individuals, I must say these persons have been neglected and it hurts them badly. In a region where the inhabitant are living below average , they are definitely willing to take up any activity to put food on the table. Since the inception of the Buhari Administration, these people are hunted like thieves. But are there really thieves when the products resides in their region?

[@osasimade1556]

I'm from Nigeria and stayed in Niger delta region for 17 years. The real thief here are the big oil companies, politicians and local and traditional leaders. The main occupation for this region is fishing(before oil was DISCOVERED). THE DISCOVERY OF OIL led to big pollution, they can't work or eat or even drink water. Apart from the improper disposer of waste product from the illegal refineries, I dont see anything wrong with what they are doing.

[@latestsports-viralsportscl3971]

To all the people who somehow think this is Nigeria's fault, how are the people of Nigeria going to tell a billion dollar company no? And do you think their government would tell a company no? Look at America. Does the US Government tell companies no? No, it usually doesn't. Good post MGF. I hope your people can make it through this one.

[@nathanblades3395]

MGF OFFICIAL making it worse wont make it better is the only problem

[@user-ev8lp6cl4k]

The reporter are rat why are there been there when the government troops busted them?

[@balfourwheatley6644]

"2 days later the military raids this same spot" ViCE Snitched...

[@ShidaiTaino]

Balfour Wheatley or they were in to the area anyway

[@balfourwheatley6644]

@@ShidaiTaino yep every documentry

[@noudklijn4558]

Most likely

[@1zbossz]

Exactly what I was thinking...

[@viracocha8338]

I just want to write this also...😁

[@phantomvj4523]

"This is a residential area" so we must pour it into their water

[@brandonzhang4831]

As a person who loves the environment and having a standard for human work conditions, watching this is much harder than getting my eyes seared by the sun

[@robertcline3300]

Nigerians aren't up to the task.

[@bziganti]

Imagine being the Nigerian government and dumping the illegal oil instead of just taking it

[@Sundara229]

oil and gas being so cheap, it probably would cost more taking it.

[@joelbeaulieu882]

They way it's refined it worthless to the global market

[@bryanchavez3597]

It must have some better use than dumping into the arteries of earth's life

[@redengineer4380]

@@bryanchavez3597 You'd be surprised. It can be used for cookfires, and that's about it. Quality is too bad.

[@fatandfurious7471]

@@redengineer4380 even that would be better than killing the whole jungle and the villagers with poisonous water. The government could take it and resell it as cheap cooking oil aids for villages or something.

[@JKM110]

As a Nigerian, this is absolutely disgraceful and has been going on for years. The people who live in this area do not benefit in any way from a resource on the land of their forefathers. They cannot fish because the water is tainted, the oil will leech into vegetation for generations and the government stands by and treats them like criminals for trying to etch out a living. What a shame

[@zachwatson319]

One cigarette and that entire river will be in a blaze

[@df3kt]

That isn't how it works dude. Go get a bowl of gas and throw a lit cig in it or even a book of matches on fire and see what happens. Do you know what will happen? Nothing it will just go out.

[@kodisummerville5366]

@@df3kt I've done it when I was a kid... I tried to say to say a shaft line and throw a cigarette on some gas like they do in movies... I was disappointed for life

[@shakmp4]

@@kodisummerville5366 same I was really angry and sad.

[@aadityarajbhattarai5475]

@@df3kt It has worked for me once tho. I cut coke bottle vertically in half sideways, filled it with water and poured 6 7 bottlecaps of turpentine over it and put match in it. The fire was large but instantaneous. Didnt try after that.

[@zak.886]

🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️🤦🏿‍♂️

[@kasondengosa8308]

How would you expect people to survive on an environment like this because even agricultural activities are destroyed,fish is also killed in the process? 🙈😢

[@crowned2088]

Just common in Africa

[@dantastic7]

Then we turn around and act all shocked when violent extremists begin controlling these areas

[@manomantv8802]

"it is not good for society" *pours thousands of gallons of gas into river*

[@1Ricov]

nice quote ouf of context

[@ThePuffamanChannel]

1Ricov it isn't out of context. I get the point that it isn't good for society. It contains more pollutants etc. But they should destroy it in a safer manor, when they poor it into the same river that the refineries are polluting, it's almost ironic

[@DhavalRaja1]

ThePuffamanChannel Why not just take it to the refineries and process them furthur, free oil, less to process and environment and rivers are saved. And then hire those people to process this more oil. Also legalize the oil refinery startups and then enforce better purification process step by step.

[@maxwellsope1080]

@@ThePuffamanChannel By ''not good for society'' The chief probably meant that it is low quality gas and can potentially blow up a vehicle.

[@TWEAKLET]

i mean if they brought it together filtered it then refined it refining is done by boiling it the lightest fuels come up first and tend to be what we want most the end by products they these people are throwing away or burning is a large component of what we use to make roads and can be nearly endlessly recycled if the road needs to be removed or repaired so this shit wouldn't end up in a river not to mention all the lubricants and solvents they are wasting

[@ep53]

One of the saddest things i've seen in long time.

[@12taskforce]

These people gotta survive somehow

[@shahzilhussainsh]

Have you just got your vision back?

[@ngwufestus8034]

You haven't seen anything yet

[@gehesgereaum3233]

Did y check urself from mirror ?

[@03noob]

Well said destroying their own land For oil. Our ancestors didnt have oil. They live just fine.

[@furn2313]

Sounds like the Nigerian government did this to it's own self, I hope they never stop until the government learns to listen to people and actually help.

[@davidmichels5295]

Don’t forget about shell

[@robertcline3300]

Nigerians aren't up to the task.

[@PvMFuryfire]

This is actually making me furious. Why am i expected to sort my trash, and not drop litter the streets to save the environment? All while these savages are dumping liters of fuel into the sea and starting forest fires, like it's nobodys business. It makes No sense to me. 🙄

[@davidlawrence3932]

PvMFuryfire and the government wants you turn off lights when not in use to help save energy and the planet.... yeah right lol

[@AngeloXification]

There's something deeply troubling about a nation with large quantities of natural resources yet the population lives in utter poverty.

[@robertcline3300]

Nigerians aren't up to the task.

[@JK-tu1xx]

It sounds to me like all of this would be solved if these oil companies would just hire local labor..

[@joeellis4013]

Mr. Jared K You are smarter than everyone in Nigeria.

[@burtonl7239]

You only need so many skilless hands. They need engineers not labourers.

[@xylophone897]

It sounds like this could be fixed if the oil companies got out and the government made more jobs there.

[@elohimvictor4793]

@Marco Salamanca I detect sarcasm, but i could be wrong.

[@helmutsarchive8863]

Elohim OW look it up

[@iserialkill]

"Me? I am selling it" .. love this guy

[@lawrencebrown8708]

Right! Me too

[@10ksubswithoutavideo23]

As a Nigerian living in delta state this is honestly heart breaking. The IQ of these men is so low it makes me sick, The police men are far worse than these crooks.

[@mapaglarongpagiisiptv9560]

they are throwing away the product of hard working people and its destroying the river. damn.

[@sulaak]

Shocking

[@alexrobinson7127]

the government doing it to their own people, so sad

[@MrGRking]

SEAN L u sound ignorant Nigeria has been colonized for a long time & they weren’t colonized by blacks

[@pamothegreat4354]

, it's been colonized by black since 1960. It's time we take responsibility and quit blaming others for our problems.

[@AdemolaVictorTv]

Fishing is almost impossible. Everything in the water poisoned. So sad.

[@tentailmadara2500]

Almost? Have you fished there? How do you know?

[@miguellopes2452]

@@tentailmadara2500 it only takes around 5 brain cells to figure it out

[@tentailmadara2500]

Miguel Lopes you can figure that out from a 14 minute video? Amazing, that is one town in thousands that are in Nigeria

[@miguellopes2452]

@@tentailmadara2500 who said anything about the rest of Nigeria? Stop assuming things

[@tentailmadara2500]

He said that like he has been there or he has fished there before I am just calling him out on his bullshit

[@typicalrockhound9887]

Problem solving " pour fuel into water supply " ...... ? Wtf. O,o

[@rj1056]

Nigeria: * fighting over oil * America: I can solve that problem.

[@yuhu8425]

I love how they call it oil thieves like its not our oil

[@don-cw1yz]

They have probably tapped into a BP line to get the crude oil.

[@matthew22nz]

It isn’t, your government sold it to them, and then they went to the enormous trouble of finding it and extracting it.

[@iyke333]

I wonder

[@mannyverse6158]

This is nuts. Why can't they just give these guys legal refineries to work in?

[@akadopeboi]

Totally, train them up, make legal mini-refineries with regulations. Seems like a long-term cheap solution to just sending in the troops on your fellow African.

[@lordlucius1341]

Manny S bottom lines my friend

[@jeffwalters8552]

Rebels be rebelling, not too big on government or big corps out there.

[@princekulalelaubisi]

Manny S I agree, they already know what they are doing. Training should be implemented for these guys. But these big corporations will block that initiative by any means necessary.

[@The_Dikes]

Agree with you and that should be an easy decision but African leaders lack any acumen!

[@Obetv01]

Irony is that currently, Nigeria has negligible refining capability. We import nearly all fuel used for transport. Yet there are locals with crude refining capabilities. If you built one refinery in that region, you employ all those locals risking their lives with those crude methods. Unfortunately, there is a wholesale lack of joined up thinking. The State agents compound the matter by ignorantly empty all that fuel into the local river. Those who God wishes to punish, he first makes them mad.

[@worldview2888]

THIS VIDEO.... taught me so much. one of the best coverage and exposures i have ever had. this really heightened my personal aspirations (ambiguous message from myself but i have a purpose for what im saying.

[@diegoc5026]

"We can't light the barrels on fire because it's a residencial area" The hypocrisy and ignorance of that officer is impressive.

[@arunasstaponas5704]

Can you imagine how many years this happening... i mean, count the years and calculate how much damage has been done to all the surroundings. And how many years it will take to clear all the shit...

[@tonyug6304]

it's almost incalculable

[@Bhebe40]

Shell needs to get OUT NOW

[@MuddaEE]

100% you called the cops on them to get that interesting video material.

[@Mkhl4Sure]

They sure did, I think it's just common sense in case there is anyone trying to dispute it

[@travelsquadd]

😆😆😆

[@Sundara229]

@@Mkhl4Sure That would be f*ing terrible. But is there any proof of that?

[@Mkhl4Sure]

@@Sundara229 Sometimes you just need to add 2+2, not every single thing requires proof or evidence

[@samik3184]

exactly, why would VICE be there exactly two days later when the raid was happening? How does this perfect synchronicity occur?

[@JH-en1jo]

"This entire town is black" WELCOME TO NIGERIA!!

[@piyushvaidya5086]

She means it's burned. Black ground, not people.

[@bravonolan]

@@piyushvaidya5086 you sure are fun at the parties

[@danielhernandez-vo9zc]

Lol I'm glad someone wrote it

[@mattdias1185]

@@danielhernandez-vo9zc right

[@cristopherdejesus9868]

0sa

[@dieselphiend]

That village was raided because of presence of the camera crew, and it's not the first time Vice has gotten people in trouble.

[@epixdevo3180]

Yeah they are narcing

[@nikitaw1982]

I don't doubt it. Makes good television. I hope they gave the people a bit of cash for their loses.

[@heinrichmuller7974]

i've watched a bunch of vids on these crude refineries and i've always wondered, do they filter the final product before it goes into their engines? even a coffee filter ?

[@plsnthxu]

thank you for sharing

[@rhodacampbell]

I spent a lot of my childhood in Nigeria while my dad worked in Benin City, away from the Delta River. It was a dear time of my life. I went back when I was 22 years old to stay with my family who were now working in Port Harcourt. I honestly couldn’t cope with how crazy the oil city was, how angry I could feel the people were. Heart breaking for a beautiful country and generous heart people to watch this. Disaster

[@keeeet_]

Damn didn't even know this was happening. Crazy shit. Well done VICE.

[@kencornia3333]

I was watching an interesting video on energy/oil production through time and the contamination of the Nigerian Delta was discussed, which brought me here. The scope of environmental damage being done to the Nigerian Delta is mind boggling. Perhaps finding ways for the local people to legally produce oil, would enable them to provide for their families, and would certainly be better than emptying oil into the local ecosystem, which hurts everyone. In the interim, perhaps the government can utilize vehicles to transport illegally produced oil to legal refineries.

[@eagle1532]

13:16 is the most truth you will ever hear.

[@prophecyrat2965]

Eagle1 yes

[@rajadhirajmaharaj]

US oil company: Nigeria needs democracy because we need oil. Nigerian rebel group: Oil companies need BBC.

[@king6463]

Why can't they not take those illegal barrels of oil and refined it instead of pouring it into the rivers causing even greater damage 😠,That militant with the mask was very articulate with his points ,greedy government should explore other ways to resolve this issue.

[@o.m.4483]

People are really stupids

[@zero12304]

Ask shell.

[@abio7264]

Just what I was thinking Kingboy.

[@honkhonk8009]

Because the government isnt greedy, their incompetent. They could easily just let these people do what they need, and even subsidize them so they reach production standards. Instead? These idiots outlaw it

[@nicholasbrown668]

@@honkhonk8009 I mean its also because dozens of militant groups were using money from crude oil profits to fund terror groups but alright

[@Sebaxtain]

It's not good for society... yeah because someones engine could seize or a fuel filter could get clogged up. So better pour it out all over the village and leave the residents and children to inhale toxic fumes for days to come and destroy the environment for good.

[@iz3575]

Sebaxtain seems legit

[@srbija1365]

I don't think it's African logic, he's just lying. He knows he's making shit up but he's not even bothering to justify their actions very well. They are just thugs paid indirectly by Shell.

[@jalheeljalhe5799]

African logic? This was in Nigeria why do think is African logic, and if you see the same pattern in other African country the question is : Who taught these shit? Where this mentality comes from, is it really for the sake of society or for the sake of big company he is fighting? This logic is from the lobbies and you know that, the same lobbies that work and possess their offices in your country. Open your eyes!

[@littlewn9280]

Sebaxtain lets not forget all the gas powered lawn mowers leaking gasoline into the soil...along with farmers who should use a better method of plowing.

[@hexadecimal5236]

Sebaxtain Government's way of thinking.

[@travellingonuptozion5658]

Thanks for sharing

[@spookypineapple]

This is the stuff I love about Vice videos.

[@moyita2988]

The level of contamination is too much!!! When the police pours the oil just makes me sick.

[@homeofthemad3044]

Josue M What a waste of beautiful oil.

[@onimusha163]

It's insane that this occurs. Millions of people live in the delta and use the waters. The cancer rates must be insane there.

[@decadentanciennebourgeoisie]

ik

[@tonyug6304]

truly sickening

[@tonyug6304]

Water everywhere, and not a drop to drink

[@m1l22]

*_The United States Of America want to know your location_*

[@zero_blessed590]

hahahaha

[@paulludwigewaldvonkleist4039]

Classic america

[@ridwanmohamed4684]

Oil need democracy hahahahhhhh sooooo funny

[@callihan69]

No they don’t.

[@paulludwigewaldvonkleist4039]

@@callihan69 guess you don't understand

[@vijaygurav9992]

It's really a daring experience to do such kind of documentary. Hats off to the VICE correspondent Gianna Toboni!

[@Linda-jj1sj]

The people there should benefit first from this oil.😢

[@yomommastupid]

look i don't blame these guys they need to make a living for their families and its not like there a lot of other options for the...i blame the government and oil companies !

[@tempestvideos9834]

Blame demand for carbon fuels... Its demand. People tend to overlook very simple aspects of economics with these issues. If you can figure out something more cost effective right now, let me know. Start your own Biodome ;)

[@Rosengreen95]

Its not the demand? Its greed from western oil companies. If Nigerian companies were to sell their own oil, they would still supply for the demand.

[@franklinromero1863]

theabstrakt84 the thieves are finding the easiest and most lucrative means of creating money. Yet, they're destroying their environment. Blaming the government and oil companies which have nothing to do with this!

[@maythesciencebewithyou]

Karl Scher You meant to say rightwingers, you dofus.

[@nycjt6267]

who decides on the companies doing business in Nigeria?

[@arturasp9738]

Nigerian government should be punished by international sanctions for this kind of pollution and for neglecting to people living in these conditions.

[@anyanwusilas9864]

What about the UK companies?

[@jalheeljalhe5799]

Who started first? So what about SHELL Company, what punishment they should get?

[@purplenurp5590]

yeah like sanctions wouldnt hurt the people even more

[@arturasp9738]

Purple Nurp I was thinking about sanctions for the government people, not the country. Something like freezing assets in international banks, travel bans. Something to hit directly the people that make changes.

[@drynoa532]

It's foreign companies that are bribing the local government, companies that directly fund your local and federal politicians.

[@nikhillohan8877]

I am from india and surprised to see such a devotion of these journalist to there work

[@anonamoose1891]

I can’t believe how much those soldiers polluted that section of river by dumping all that out in that manor.

[@TheAlbinoskunk]

love how he's a "oil businessman" rather than a militant because he's wearing a button-up shirt

[@senchoflow6103]

From an aerial perspective our environmental impact here looks like a cancer spreading through a perishing organism. Truly bleak situation.

[@farazkhan7035]

Very good journalism. Keep up the good work

[@yellowmoon1084]

This reporter has some big balls. I would never journey into places like this. The likelihood of getting robbed, kidnapped or worse is probably pretty high.

[@steelem422]

What kind of military officer has someone hold a umbrella for him. If you are in the field with your men you live like they do!

[@HapticGamerHD]

Oh shut up. I bet none of you have ever even come close to serving in the army.

[@stringsnare]

a smart officer lol

[@TheGstein]

Quite an interesting piece. I bet the locals probably thought you sold them out. Gotta skip town after that.

[@davidarciniega6931]

TheGstein she did sell them out buddy. The government was watching over those white folks and BAM!!! She led them right to the operation. Just my opinion.

[@kingdele01]

Those were two different operations. It is obvious that she didn't sell them out.

[@goed1adit]

my thought exactly.

[@jakesworld37]

TheGstein Notice how this always happens when reporters watch illegal actions, days later they always conveniently get raged every time

[@BBPhun]

And they were also present for the raid - so Vice knew the raid was happening. Probably thought it would make the story more interesting if they got some "extra" footage lol.

[@williambrennan104]

I was twitching in horror just watching the wastefulness and danger of that. One spark by that open diesel tank...*shiver*

[@kesavsai6641]

9:29 that dude is jacked af

[@MNToor]

"When Nigeria sneezes, OPEC feels it."

[@magnettvsports9658]

yes tat what happens in nigeria

[@rgeorge4707]

That's why it's illegal for them to have an oil industry. OPEC would lose money

[@SomeGuyWatchingYoutube]

The product can be refined twice. Those people should be allowed to sell their oil. We have chemical engineers for a reason. I once spilled a bucket of diesel in Texas at a fuel stop, and the EPA was called and the entire area was cordoned until the spill was cleaned. There is no reason to dump that fuel into the river. Society does not benefit from restricting who gets to create fuel. It should all be taxed the same, and theirs is obviously worth less than others. In a decent world, they would have title to their land, and would be allowed to sell their oil until they can afford equipment for better refineries. That oil dumping is atrocious, and worthy of federal imprisonment.

[@solomonarbc]

I was shocked myself seeing how they just threw out money and polluted the ecosystem the same time. And what an idiotic argumentation. On the other hand, they might have been doing that to "cover" other oil spills.

[@SuperHtownswag]

solomonarbc they are haisa fulani people...the illiterate, corrupt tribe that has led nigeria to ruin 9ver the past 60 uears. This is alsp the same tribe that boko haram is made of.

[@SomeGuyWatchingYoutube]

Nobody in the US gives a damn what tribe someone is from, or what you might think about a tribe or family. If you have title to land, you have title to it, indefinitely, until it is sold by you or confiscated by the Federal Government. It is a sound system, and it would bring peace and money to the region. People need private property rights. The rights need to be backed by the government, not stepped on by the government. Nobody has confiscated the private property of the family and friends of mass school shootings.

[@beartrappr2841]

I think the government needs to step in and fund their own refineries. I they could make their own and hire the villages to work them it might be solved. If they place the refineries under public control they will continue to dump their waste nothing will change no matter how rich they get.

[@SomeGuyWatchingYoutube]

Their government can't even wipe their own asses, much less protect their environment. Did you see their own government dumping their product into the river? The only thing I saw in this video portraying any sort of competency was the locals refining their product with what they had.

[@AI-xe5jr]

This is my country, I’m crying just seeing how bad this has gotten, it hurts so bad.

[@rishabrathi5849]

Like wtf is happening.we humans are killing everything.

[@aldrinejaymacario2882]

that's humanity for you

[@rishabrathi5849]

@@aldrinejaymacario2882 we dont deserve this planet bro.

[@pokemich8417]

Humans: the most destructive creatures on the planet. ~Newt Scamander, Fantasic Beasts and Where to Find Them

[@nickcooper4265]

Dude, the military is acting like they are making coke .!

[@chalgoode6449]

Wow. I wonder how the Nigerian military found out about the village's refinery industry, "their only means to eat". **Looks at White Woman Reporter and her team**

[@steshar2975]

They couldn't have possibly been the cause since the footage wasn't released yet.

[@googleminus1442]

@@steshar2975 No, but if they passed a military checkpoint or reported their presence to local police or something (I've read reporters sometimes do this in risky areas, so if they do not return within a certain amount of time the police can assume that something has gone wrong) then it's pretty easy to put 2 and 2 together. I mean, why else would foreign/white journalists mess around a poor polluted village there if not to report about the oil issue?

[@bubble0]

@@googleminus1442 They said it was the second time they had been to the village so they already knew of the location.

[@Mkhl4Sure]

@@bubble0 That's what they say, but we don't know if there's any truth to that

[@everettduncan7543]

@@Mkhl4Sure who knows if the army is in on it (getting bribes from the real criminals, and not regulating Shell)

[@blessdomkpeeMiraclewalkingSKY]

What type of clean up is that? I saw on there.

[@nelsongaskell4061]

One of the last great vice pieces

[@nopeguynope1453]

They spill it in the river? Really? Omg..

[@mikhailzavarov4958]

Finally , something interesting from VICE

[@areyes2137]

Man, I miss the good ol days when they used to hang out with isis and kim jong un.... Lol

[@omariezay1350]

Stimulate Yo Mind same😔

[@Cravenmooreheadism]

Right? It's been awhile lol

[@LifeInFlux]

No doubt, they are actually reporting REAL NEWS for a change.

[@benrelaxedguy]

i dunno man, i wonder what the trans community of some of America's richest Universities has to say about oil in Nigeria, why it's transphobic and why I'm a shitlord for even existing. Help me Vice!

[@coralinejones6666]

Nothing like dumping thousands of gallons of diesel and letting it run into the river!

[@thomasmunns5766]

Holy hell!!!! That's way worse then putting it in a vehicle!!

[@nicholaskajoh]

Great thumbs up to Vice for going this deep! I've lived in Nigeria all my life, even traveled to Niger Delta a few times. I've only heard stories and not seen the reality. The closest I've seen is people siphoning gasoline from a trailer that crashed and fell. This is awesome work! I'm equally heart-broken as I'm excited. This is the reality of many Nigerians. We really need a change. The corruption is just too much.

[@jesh014]

This is inconceivable and insane!! So many issues at so many levels. It literally sunk my heart.... Major kudos to Gianna Toboni for an amazing job for bringing this story to the world.....keep up the great work!

[@Pluhgins]

I agree with the action taken by the military on this; but they could at least find a better way to dispose of the oil; even to where better/advanced refineries can use it.

[@AndTecks]

Im with the people on this one. As crazy as they seem, the government is even crazier. viva la resistance

[@leroy92TX]

Well to be perfectly honest, in my humble opinion, of course without offending anyone who thinks differently from my point of view, but also by looking into this matter in a different perspective and without being condemning of one's view's and by trying to make it objectified, and by considering each and every one's valid opinion, I honestly believe that I completely forgot what I was going to say.

[@TwoFistsOneHalleluja]

Nice copy-paste

[@beefybutter]

KRZY !KZ after reviewing your comment and making note of your views and opinions I find that in response to those said opinions I can't help but agree.

[@lordlucius1341]

👍

[@leroy92TX]

HamStringTheory i try to put it in perspective

[@lolaesp5034]

KRZY !KZ You talk too much !

[@a1ant37]

Vice probably snitched on the village

[@amapparatistkwabena]

A1 Ant My thoughts exactly-just to get a story. OR, they were clueless and went to the authorities and were like, “can we accompany you when you go to bust the illegal refinery about 20km west of the village just over the mountain range beyond around which the river travels?”

[@zainabe9503]

watch the video the military said they'd been there twice to raid.

[@wondashozen]

@@zainabe9503 Why would he watch the video when he can hate on Vice. (the only platform that would introduce him to this content anyways)

[@damienkendrick1457]

vice doesnt do that their pro lets save the world

[@davidekstrom9595]

Right!.,.!?!? I mean, the army showed up 2 whole days later, and their there to film it?! Really?!

[@totokingkong1]

I so disgusted by the military dumping the fuel, I cannot conceive they are doing this. How can you be optimistic about the future when you see stuff like that!

[@bitcoinfandom]

Damn! Thousands of liters of Diesel right into the river. And in our country we're told to separate our trash and drive electric cars.

[@rrrr7659]

What a colossal waste. If you have an abundance of natural resources, but lack the infrastructure to properly harvest and refine them then the logical decision would be to seek a contractual, long-term partnership with foreign companies. That way you can get paid for your resources in the meantime while gradually learning how to develop your own infrastructure. What the hell is wrong with the Nigerian government?

[@lan2580nokia]

Rr rr They are irredeemably corrupt hence using the proceeds for their own selfish gains plus multinationals aren't willing to transfer technology to African governments. Imagine if every oil producing country in the developing world had the capacity to refine and export their own oil, She'll and Exxon would be completely out of business. They're capitalists to the core they'll do anything to get that dollar..

[@shawnrah-man7955]

"holy shit, look at this thing it's Massive" Welcome to Nigeria

[@deepakgusain9561]

🤣🤣🤣

[@noirnit.]

Its the greed of the locals and the greed of the rich that is killing the delta...

[@johnhammersmith7828]

But how are they getting the crude?? They mentioned barges, but where does it come from before that?

[@jackbarbey]

Them: entire region coated in spilled oil. Me: spill 1 drop of gas at the gas station and speed away like the whole thing is gonna blow.

[@markserrano4586]

Despite how I feel about this this was great reporting by Vice

[@mooominer4373]

What town?? You just said they are in the middle of nowhere and its super remote....

[@dustinatkinson5744]

Looks like a scene from a battle in the Pacific

[@MultiSciGeek]

Instead of fighting each other the Niger delta people should come together and make their own legal, safe and regulated oil production plants. The money from this company is then distributed among the people affected and the rest of Nigeria. As for Exxon and Shell they should be held responsible for what happened. Right now it looks as if the government got bribed by foreign companies so they can do with their land whatever they want. This is pure chaos.

[@CesarPerez-rm2fl]

MultiSciGeek greed and corruption will not allow this

[@99batran]

So long as the process doesn't involve socialism.

[@whitesborowillis]

Will never be allowed...

[@lawrencepettifer4102]

seconded

[@lawrencepettifer4102]

It is almost impossible in Nigeria especially in Niger State as many people don't have access to electricity and mobile phone networks are very poor, hence organising their own legal, safe and regulated would be nigh on impossible. Not to mention the problem of corruption. What ur saying is right. I think we a global community should put pressure on the oil companies that abused their positions of power over the Nigerian people.

[@butchbragg6116]

if we lived like them we would do the same shit

[@nasiryahaya4184]

lol, I'm pretty sure you don't know how to refine crude oil like they do.

[@billalphilip5776]

Human beings are the most destructive creatures on this planet...i used to think termites are worse but nop😂😂😂

[@official_surge]

Also what's this song name 12:30

[@RizzoDaManiac]

How can you have the largest oil deposit in the world, and your own people aren't reaping the benefits. Kick out everyone else, hire your own and sell it to foreign nations

[@kingkongrilla]

you know what will happen if we kick them out ??...... American democracy will happen

[@kingdele01]

Nigeria doesn't have the largest reserves in the world. Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, and a lot of others have more. Also, Nigeria has a larger population than most of them. I am not saying that it isn't a shame, but Nigeria needs to look beyond oil an start to develop & diversify its economy.

[@RizzoDaManiac]

You completely missed the p Nigeria has the largest oil deposits, they just aren't confirmed. And population doesn't matter in this sense. Besides you're completely missing the point.

[@kingdele01]

TheCommentBeatKiller Where did you get that analysis? Also, if you look at the land size of Nigeria, you will know that there is no way that could be true, even if it's whole geographical area is full of oil. To put this into perspective, Nigeria currently has proven reserves of about 30 billion barrels, that has been mostly expoited, compared to Saudi Arabia's 300 billion. Unless, Nigeria has some undiscovered land that can hold that much oil, there is no way Nigeria can surpass them. Or Iran, Iraq, Libya, Russia or even USA & Canada (with the Shale formations). So, the wisest thing for Nigeria to do is to save all the oil money in a sovereign fund and plan for the future as if it doesn't have oil. That means cutting off all of its regions from federal oil funds, collecting taxes like every other country, and developing its infrastructure, agricultural, & low level manufacturing base, just like the Asian countries did.

[@kingdele01]

But, you are right!!! The behavior of Nigeria's leadership, with all of the revenues it has received from oil, is an absolute shame.

[@Zerosupersayan]

I'm assuming this is why the US has troops there. Officially its to provide training to local military. Now I see its training to protect US assets and interests.

[@worrell3831]

Bingo lol. Make no mistake. That is basically every countries real reason for being in Africa for a reason we normies cannot understand. Its a continent filled to the brim with natural resources and is 2x the size of the USA, yet so many of it's people live on next to nothing.

[@mistahshade]

Nigeria also has huge Uranium deposits. The US knows groups like Boko Haram are trying to get it to create a dirty bomb.

[@boxingfan4158]

It is not about America! Nigerian government is a criminal government

[@laurenswanya9780]

youre honestly so silly if you do not know the lengths your country goes to protect its interests

[@CallmeWilliam88]

The_lone_Warrior US Assets leaching other countries of their natural resources.

[@hell9419]

Excellent report and reporter