Amnesty International has told the Nigerian government that unless human rights in the Niger Delta are protected, it must stop the sale by Shell of its onshore oil business in the country.
The charity group said the proposed sale risks worsening human rights abuses if the pollution caused by the oil company is not addressed.
“Shell must provide sufficient funds to clean up the environmental damage it’s caused and that local communities be consulted on the sale, worth more than $2.4bn (£2bn)”, it said.
Activists blame Shell for frequent oil leaks in the Niger Delta that among other problems have led to the contamination of ground water sources.
Nigeria’s government has not commented.
Shell has previously promised that the new owners would deal with the damages.