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Another explosion has rocked a gas facility in Rivers State, Nigeria, specifically at the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area.
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The explosion, confirmed by the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), is the third incident in less than a week.
A fresh explosion has occurred at the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, barely a week after a major explosion rocked the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area.
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) confirmed the latest explosion on Sunday, citing reports from its youth volunteers.
According to YEAC’s Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, “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.”
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The cause of the explosion remains uncertain, with speculations ranging from equipment failure to sabotage or deliberate attack.
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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 the Rivers State House of Assembly, Deputy Governor, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, citing his alleged failure to protect oil infrastructure.
YEAC-Nigeria has called for an urgent investigation into the Soku explosion, urging the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to determine the cause.
“Perpetrators of this crime must be held accountable in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021,” the statement added.
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