Explosion Rocks Crude Oil Pipeline In Rivers State

An explosion occurred last night at the Trans-Niger Pipeline in Bodo, located within the Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, significantly impacting the section.

Reports obtained by Naija News on Tuesday morning revealed that the section of the pipeline affected by the explosion is currently ablaze, but the precise cause of the incident has not yet been established.

According to Vanguard, officials are still investigating whether the explosion was due to human actions, particularly in light of recent threats from militant groups aimed at oil facilities, which have arisen in response to the Federal Government’s decision to withhold Rivers State’s allocation amid the ongoing political turmoil.

The explosion is reported to have taken place on Monday night along the vital export pipeline that carries crude oil to the Bonny Terminal.

“Up till this moment, we have not been able to get clear details as to what caused that very explosion but Investigations are going on,” the Minister of Regional Affairs, Abubakar Momoh, told Channels Television’s Lunchtime Politics on Tuesday.

But he said, “I think in due time, a clear picture” of what happened will be known.”

Meanwhile, houses have been burnt, and many people have sustained injuries due to a disagreement between traditional worshippers and Muslim youths in the Shimankar community, Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Naija News understands that religious and business centres were set ablaze due to the incident.

Sources from the community told Daily Trust that the violence which started on Sunday night, continued into Monday morning, as the arrival of police officers and soldiers in the community failed to prevent it from escalating.

The sources said the incident began when traditional worshippers were passing through and a disagreement ensued between them and some Muslim youths, leading to violence.

Residents, including women and children, were seen fleeing for their lives, while business activities were shut down.

As of the time of filing this report, DSP Alabo Alfred, spokesperson of the state police command, had yet to respond to inquiries about the development.

However, Major Samson Zhakom, spokesperson of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), a multi-security task force maintaining peace in Plateau, promised to communicate with the relevant authorities on the matter.

Residents said the violence was ongoing and called for the deployment of security forces in the area.