Just a week after a major explosion occurred on the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area, another explosion has reportedly struck the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), a grassroots NGO with a strong presence across the Niger Delta, confirmed the latest explosion on Sunday, March 23.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, YEAC reported receiving information from its youth volunteers about an early morning explosion at the Soku oil facility, which is operated by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited.
“An explosion, accompanied by fireballs, was heard and seen in the sky from the facility area, which is difficult to access. The fire is still ongoing as of the time of this report,” the statement said.
The cause of the explosion remains unclear, with theories ranging from equipment failure to sabotage or a deliberate attack.
This marks the third explosion at oil facilities in Rivers State in less than a week. The first explosion occurred in Ogoni, and the second in the Oga/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. These incidents were referenced by President Bola Tinubu during his March 18 nationwide address, where he declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State.
In response to these incidents, the President suspended the Rivers State House of Assembly, Deputy Governor, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, citing his failure to protect oil infrastructure.
The suspension followed threats by certain youths in a viral video warning against Governor Fubara’s impeachment.
YEAC-Nigeria has called for an urgent investigation into the Soku explosion and has urged 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 accordance with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021,” the statement concluded.
