Just days after an explosion occurred on the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area, another blast has reportedly hit the Soku oil facility in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), a community-based environmental group, confirmed the latest incident on Sunday.
According to a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, the group received reports from youth volunteers about the early-morning explosion at the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited-operated facility.
“A loud explosion was heard from the facility, followed by fireballs lighting up the sky. The area is difficult to access, and as of the time of this report, the fire is still burning,” the statement noted.
The exact cause of the explosion remains unclear, with possibilities including technical failure, sabotage, or a targeted attack.
This marks the third explosion at an oil facility in Rivers State in under a week. The first occurred in Ogoni, while the second took place in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area—an incident referenced by President Bola Tinubu in his March 18 address, where he declared a six-month state of emergency in the state.
In response to these security concerns, the President suspended the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Deputy Governor, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, citing alleged failures to protect critical oil infrastructure. His decision followed threats from a group of youths in a viral video opposing the governor’s potential impeachment.
YEAC-Nigeria has called for a swift investigation into the Soku explosion, urging the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to determine the cause.
“Those responsible must be held accountable under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021,” the statement concluded.