Another explosion has hit Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited facility in Rivers State, barely a week after a blast at the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, and pipeline explosion in Gokana.
This marks the third oil facility explosion in Rivers State within a week.
The latest incident occurred at the Soku gas facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area, raising fresh concerns over the increasing frequency of such incidents in the region.
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) confirmed the explosion in a statement on Sunday.
According to the group’s Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, reports from community volunteers indicated that the explosion occurred in the early hours of Sunday.
The facility, operated by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, was engulfed in flames, with fireballs visible in the sky.
“The explosion was accompanied by a massive fire, and the blaze is still ongoing as of the time of this report,” YEAC stated.
The exact cause of the incident remains unknown, though speculation points to possible equipment failure, sabotage, or a targeted attack.
This marks the third explosion at oil facilities in Rivers State in less than 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 in his March 18 nationwide broadcast while declaring a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State.
Following these incidents, the President suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor and the State House of Assembly, citing Fubara’s alleged failure to protect oil infrastructure
The decision followed threats by some youths in a viral video warning against Fubara’s impeachment.
