Another explosion has reportedly occurred at the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area.
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), a grassroots NGO with extensive networks throughout the Niger Delta, confirmed the explosion on Sunday.
It happened less than a week after an explosion hit the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State,
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, YEAC reported that its youth volunteers received information about an early-morning explosion at the Soku oil facility, which is operated by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited.
The statement described the incident as follows: “An explosion accompanied by fireballs was seen and heard in the sky from the facility area, which remains difficult to access. The fire is still ongoing at the time of this report.”
The cause of the explosion remained unclear as of press time.
But there were reported speculations about the possible causes, ranging from equipment failure and sabotage to a deliberate attack.
The explosion marks the third in less than a week at oil facilities in Rivers State.
The first occurred in Ogoni, while the second took place in the Oga/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
The latter incident was alluded to by President Bola Tinubu in his March 18 nationwide address when he declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State.
Following these incidents, the President suspended the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Deputy Governor, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, citing the Governor’s alleged failure to safeguard oil infrastructure.
The decision came after threats from local youths in a viral video warning against the Governor’s potential impeachment.
YEAC-Nigeria has called for an urgent investigation into the Soku explosion. The organization urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to carry out a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to determine the cause.
“Perpetrators of this crime must be held accountable in accordance with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021,” the statement said. [With The Witness report]
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