Just a week after an explosion on the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Rivers State, another blast has been reported at the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru local government area of the same state.
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) confirmed the incident on Sunday, based on information from their network of youth volunteers in the Niger Delta region.
In a statement by Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, the group provided details on the severity of the new explosion.
“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.
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The Soku oil facility, operated by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, experienced an explosion with an undetermined cause, speculated to be equipment failure, sabotage, or a deliberate attack.
This is the third oil facility explosion in Rivers State within a week, following incidents in Ogoni and Oga/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
President Tinubu referenced the Oga explosion in his March 18 address, which led to the declaration of a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State.
As part of the emergency measures, Governor Fubara and other elected officials were suspended, with President Tinubu citing the governor’s alleged failure to protect oil infrastructure, amidst threats from youths against his impeachment.
YEAC-Nigeria has called for an immediate investigation into the Soku explosion and urged NOSDRA to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to establish the cause and ensure accountability.
“Perpetrators of this crime must be held accountable in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021,” the statement concluded.
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