Babatunji Wusu –
-
New Explosion: A blast occurred at the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru LGA, just days after an explosion on the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana LGA.
-
Ongoing Fire & Unclear Cause: The explosion, confirmed by the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), caused a fire that is still burning. The exact cause—whether equipment failure, sabotage, or an attack—remains unknown.
-
Escalating Crisis: This marks the third explosion in Rivers State within a week, intensifying concerns over oil infrastructure security.
-
Presidential Response: President Bola Tinubu referenced these attacks in his March 18 broadcast, declaring a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State and suspending Governor Sim Fubara and other officials for failing to protect critical assets.
-
Calls for Investigation: YEAC-Nigeria has urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) and ensure those responsible are held accountable under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021.
Less than a week after a major explosion rocked the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana LGA, another blast has been reported at the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru LGA, Rivers State. The incident, confirmed by the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), has further heightened concerns over the security of oil installations in the Niger Delta.
According to YEAC-Nigeria, the explosion occurred in the early hours of Sunday and was reported by its network of youth volunteers. Witnesses observed large fireballs rising from the facility, which is operated by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited. The fire remains uncontained, and restricted access to the site has made assessments difficult.
The exact cause of the explosion is yet to be determined. Authorities are considering multiple possibilities, including technical malfunctions, acts of sabotage, or an intentional attack. This latest incident marks the third major oil-related explosion in Rivers State within a week, following previous blasts in Ogoni and Oga/Egbema/Ndoni LGA.
President Bola Tinubu cited these escalating security threats in his nationwide address on March 18, where he declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State. He also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the State House of Assembly, attributing the move to their inability to protect critical oil infrastructure.
In response to the latest explosion, YEAC-Nigeria has called for an immediate investigation. The organization urged NOSDRA to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to determine the cause and enforce accountability under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021. The group stressed the need for urgent intervention to prevent further security breaches in the oil-rich region.
