Less than a week after a major explosion rocked the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, another blast has occurred—this time at the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area.
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), a grassroots NGO active in the Niger Delta, confirmed the explosion on Sunday.
According to a statement from YEAC’s Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, the blast was reported by youth volunteers who witnessed an early morning fireball in the sky near the facility, which is operated by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited.
“The explosion was followed by intense flames that are still burning as of the time of this report,” the statement noted.
The exact cause of the incident remains unknown, but possible explanations include the equipment failure, Sabotage and deliberate attack
This is the third oil facility explosion in Rivers State in less than a week.
The first occurred in Ogoni, while the second, in Oga/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, was referenced by President Bola Tinubu in his March 18 nationwide address.
