In the latest in a series of explosions, a gas facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area has been rocked by a massive blast.
This explosion occurred just a week after a major blast on the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area.
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) confirmed the explosion at the Soku oil facility, operated by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited.
YEAC’s Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, issued a statement on Sunday, revealing that the explosion, which was accompanied by fireballs, was heard and seen from a considerable distance.
“An explosion accompanied by fireballs was heard and seen in the sky from the facility area, which is difficult to reach. The fire is still ongoing as of the time of this report,” Fyneface stated.
The cause of the explosion remains unclear, with speculations ranging from equipment failure to sabotage or deliberate attack.
This explosion marks the third such incident in Rivers State within a week, following blasts in Ogoni and Oga/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas.
President Bola Tinubu addressed the situation in a nationwide broadcast on March 18, declaring a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State and suspending the state House of Assembly, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy due to their alleged failure to protect oil infrastructure.
YEAC-Nigeria has called for an immediate investigation into the Soku explosion.
The group urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) and bring those responsible to justice under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021.
“Perpetrators of this crime must be held accountable,” YEAC stated.
