An explosion at an oil facility in Rivers State’s ONELGA area has sparked safety concerns, occurring just hours after a fire on the Trans-Niger Pipeline. Authorities are investigating the cause, while social media speculation grows over possible sabotage or negligence in Nigeria’s oil sector.
A powerful explosion rocked an oil facility in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State on Tuesday morning, sending flames into the sky and raising fresh concerns about pipeline safety in Nigeria’s oil-producing region.
Local sources reported that the blast occurred at a manifold connected to a federal pipeline in the Okwawriwa area. The affected infrastructure reportedly transports petroleum products from major oil firms, including Seplat, Agip, and Shell, linking ONELGA and parts of Imo State to Brass in Bayelsa State. Though the facility is located away from residential areas, the explosion caused panic among nearby communities.
This incident occurred just hours after a separate fire broke out on the Trans-Niger Pipeline, a crucial crude oil transport line operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) leading to the Bonny Terminal. The cause of both fires remains unknown, but authorities have launched investigations into the incidents.
The Rivers State Police Command confirmed an ongoing probe into the earlier explosion in Gokana LGA but has yet to comment on the latest blast. Experts have raised concerns over recurring pipeline fires, often linked to equipment failure, sabotage, or illegal refining activities, all of which pose significant environmental and security risks.
Social media reactions have been swift, with many Nigerians speculating about the underlying causes of the explosions and questioning government oversight in the oil sector. Some commenters have even suggested political motives behind the incidents, pointing to ongoing tensions within the state.
