Hundreds of residents from the Kapam community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State staged a protest at the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) on Friday. The demonstration was sparked by a toxic chemical discharge from the refinery, which the protesters claim has caused extensive damage to their farms, killed livestock, and posed serious health risks. The protest, primarily led by women, saw participants blocking the refinery’s entrance and carrying placards with messages such as “KRPC has completely destroyed our crops” and “Kapam Community in danger.”
The community alleges that the chemical spill, which occurred on Tuesday, has resulted in financial losses amounting to millions of naira. They are demanding compensation and accountability from the refinery, as well as assurances that such incidents will not recur. Protesters expressed deep frustration over the refinery’s negligence, highlighting the lack of essential services like schools, hospitals, and electricity in their community.
A community leader, Jatau, voiced collective the anger, stating that years of neglect have culminated in this crisis, pushing the community to its breaking point. Despite the severity of the situation, the management of KRPC has yet to respond to the protesters’ demands or issue a public statement addressing the incident. The Kapam community remains resolute in their call for justice and compensation, vowing to continue their protest until their grievances are addressed.
