According to reports, the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area has experienced an explosion, just one week after a significant explosion on the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The most recent explosion on Sunday was confirmed by the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), a grassroots NGO with extensive networks throughout the Niger Delta.
According to a statement signed by Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, its Executive Director, YEAC said that its youth volunteers informed it of an explosion that occurred at the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited oil facility in Soku early in the morning.
“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.” The statement read.
The origin of the explosion is still unknown, while speculations include deliberate attack, sabotage, and equipment failure.
In less than a week, there have been three explosions at oil facilities in Rivers State. In his nationwide broadcast on March 18, President Bola Tinubu mentioned the two incidents—the first in Ogoni and the second in Oga/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area—while announcing a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State.
Due to his apparent failure to safeguard oil infrastructure, the president suspended Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor, and the Rivers State House of Assembly in the wake of these accidents.
The decision came after some young people threatened to impeach Governor Fubara in a widely shared video.
An immediate investigation of the Soku explosion has been demanded by YEAC-Nigeria. The group called for a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to be carried out by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to identify the reason.
-Deeprows News
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