A second explosion has hit the Soku oil facility in Rivers State, just days after a similar incident on the Trans Niger Pipeline. The cause remains unclear, with speculations of equipment failure or sabotage. The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC) has called for an urgent investigation.
Another explosion has rocked the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, marking the third such incident in less than a week. The latest explosion, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, was confirmed by the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), a grassroots NGO active in the Niger Delta.
According to YEAC's Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, local youth volunteers reported a massive fireball visible from the facility area. The cause of the explosion remains unclear, with speculations ranging from equipment failure to deliberate sabotage.
This incident follows two other explosions: one in Ogoni and another in Oga/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, the latter prompting President Bola Tinubu to declare a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State. In response, the President also suspended the state governor, deputy governor, and the Rivers State House of Assembly, citing failure to safeguard vital oil infrastructure.
YEAC has called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to conduct an urgent investigation to determine the cause of the explosion and hold those responsible accountable under the Petroleum Industry Act.
The recent spate of explosions has heightened tensions in Rivers State, with some residents speculating about political motives behind the attacks. Meanwhile, local activists warn of further unrest if the underlying causes of these incidents are not addressed.
