By Favour Oghenetejiri
Another explosion has rocked a gas facility in Rivers State, just a week after a major blast occurred on the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area. This latest incident took place at the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area.
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), a grassroots NGO active in the Niger Delta, confirmed the explosion on Sunday. According to a statement by its Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, YEAC-Nigeria received reports from its youth volunteers about an early morning explosion at the Soku oil facility, which is operated by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited.
The statement reads, “An explosion, accompanied by fireballs, was heard and seen in the sky from the facility area, which is difficult to access. The fire is still burning as of this report.”
While the cause of the explosion remains unclear, speculations point to equipment failure, sabotage, or a deliberate attack. This marks the third explosion in Rivers State in less than a week. The first explosion occurred in Ogoni, followed by another in Oga/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. President Bola Tinubu addressed these incidents in his March 18 nationwide broadcast, announcing a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State.
In light of these explosions, the President suspended the Rivers State House of Assembly, Deputy Governor, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, citing his failure to safeguard the state’s oil infrastructure. This decision followed a viral video in which some youths threatened the governor’s impeachment.
YEAC-Nigeria has called for an immediate investigation into the Soku explosion. The group has urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to ascertain the cause of the incident.
“The perpetrators of this crime must be held accountable in accordance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021,” the statement concluded.
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