Just days after a massive blast occurred on the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, another explosion has been reported at the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area.
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), a grassroots environmental group with extensive networks in the Niger Delta, confirmed the incident on Sunday.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, YEAC said it received reports from its youth volunteers about the early morning explosion at the facility, which is operated by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited.
According to the statement: “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.”
In response, the President suspended the Rivers State House of Assembly, Deputy Governor, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, citing alleged failure to protect vital oil infrastructure.
The decision followed threats made in a viral video by some youths warning against the impeachment of Governor Fubara.
YEAC-Nigeria has urged authorities to launch an immediate investigation into the explosion at the Soku facility.
The group also called on 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 line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021,” the statement concluded.
