Just a week after a major explosion rocked the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, another blast has reportedly hit the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area.
Vanguard reports that the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), a grassroots NGO with strong networks throughout the Niger Delta, confirmed the latest explosion on Sunday, March 23.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, YEAC revealed that it 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 explosion, followed by fireballs visible in the sky from the facility area, occurred in a hard-to-reach location. The fire is still raging as of the time of this report,” he said.
The cause of the explosion remains unclear, with possible explanations ranging from equipment failure to sabotage or a deliberate attack.
This marks the third explosion at oil facilities in Rivers State within the past week. The first blast occurred in Ogoni, followed by the second in Oga/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. The latter incident was referenced by President Bola Tinubu in his nationwide broadcast on March 18, when he declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State.
In response to these incidents, the President suspended the Rivers State House of Assembly, as well as Deputy Governor and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, citing his alleged failure to protect oil infrastructure. This decision followed threats from some youths in a viral video warning against the impeachment of Governor Fubara.
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 determine the cause.
“Those responsible for this crime must be held accountable under the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021,” the statement concluded.
very unfortunate