This is the second incident affecting the Trans Niger Pipeline in two months. In March, the pipeline was shut down after a blast that caused a fire.

Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation, said the spill, which occurred on May 6, was yet to be stopped, adding that the slow response showed a lack of care for the people and was "unconscionable."

"We are in a disaster zone, and further disasters can erupt from even an accidental spark of fire," he said.

"The fact that this spill that happened a week ago is yet to be stopped sends a very strong point to why the government should focus on cleaning up Ogoniland and not seek to open new oil wells. The old wells should be shut down and decommissioned."

Ogoniland, one of Africa's earliest crude oil-producing areas, has been dealing with oil pollution for decades, but its profits have often flowed to the big oil companies and to Nigerian state coffers. Local residents have long complained of toxic waste and little compensation.

--Reuters--