Third Oil Explosion in One Week Rocks Rivers State, Sparks Urgent Probe

Major explosion has rocked the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, another blast has been reported at the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area all in one week.

The incident was confirmed to newsmen by on Sunday by Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), a frontline environmental advocacy group in the Niger Delta,

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, YEAC-Nigeria revealed that its network of youth volunteers reported a powerful explosion at the oil facility operated by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited.

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“An explosion accompanied by fireballs was seen in the sky from the facility, which is in a difficult-to-access location. The fire is still raging at the time of this report,” the statement read.

The reasons behind the explosion remains unknown as at the time this report was filled , but speculations is pointing to possible equipment failure, sabotage, or a deliberate attack.

It was gathered that this marks the third explosion at an oil facility in Rivers State within a week. The first occurred in Ogoni, while the second was in Oga/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area an incident referenced by President Bola Tinubu during his March 18 nationwide broadcast.

Following the repeated attacks on critical oil infrastructure, President Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended:
• The Rivers State House of Assembly
• Deputy Governor
• Governor Siminalayi Fubara, citing failure to protect vital oil assets

The suspension followed threats from a group of youths in a viral video, warning against Governor Fubara’s impeachment.

YEAC-Nigeria has urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to launch an immediate Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to determine the cause of the Soku explosion.

“The perpetrators of this crime must be held accountable under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021,” the statement concluded.