A major explosion has struck the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, just days after a similar incident rocked the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo. The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), a key grassroots organization with strong ties in the Niger Delta, confirmed the latest blast on Sunday.
According to a statement from YEAC’s Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, the explosion occurred early in the morning at the Soku oil facility, operated by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited. Witnesses reported seeing fireballs in the sky and hearing loud explosions, with the fire still burning as of the time of the report.
The cause of the explosion remains unclear, with speculation ranging from equipment failure to deliberate sabotage or an attack. This incident marks the third such explosion in the state in less than a week, following earlier blasts in Ogoni and Oga/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas. The recent string of attacks on oil infrastructure was referenced by President Bola Tinubu in his March 18 nationwide broadcast, where he declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the governor’s failure to protect key oil installations.
In response to the explosion at the Soku facility, YEAC-Nigeria has called for an urgent investigation, urging the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to determine the cause of the blast. The organization has also called for those responsible for the attack to be held accountable in accordance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021.
With oil infrastructure under increasing threat, tensions continue to rise in Rivers State, demanding swift action from both state and federal authorities to prevent further damage.
