Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Few hours after an explosion rocked the Trans-Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, another oil facility in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA has gone up in flames in the State.
Eyewitnesses said the latest explosion occurred Tuesday at a manifold connecting a pipeline in Okwawriwa, Omoku in ONELGA.
A resident, who preferred anonymity, said locals woke up to see the facility engulfed in flames.
“We just saw fire raging from the facility this morning. It’s some distance away from homes, but it’s still a major concern because of the volume of petroleum products flowing through that pipeline,” the source said.
The affected facility is a critical transportation link for crude oil from Seplat, Oando, and Renaissance Group, running from ONELGA and parts of Imo State to Brass in Bayelsa State.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the earlier explosion at the Trans-Niger Pipeline operated by Renaissance Group and assured residents that an investigation was underway to determine the cause.
Police spokesperson in Rivers State, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, stated that security operatives discovered the fire during a routine night patrol and promptly alerted SPDC, which activated emergency shutdown measures.
“As a result of swift intervention, the situation is now under control, and there is no further threat to residents or the environment,” she said.
She also revealed that two individuals have been taken in for questioning as part of an ongoing probe to determine whether the explosion was an act of sabotage.
“The Command is fully committed to ensuring that perpetrators of criminal activities are identified and brought to justice. We urge residents to remain calm and vigilant,” Iringe-Koko added.
Authorities have yet to confirm whether both explosions are linked or the result of coordinated attacks, but the incidents come amid heightened political tensions in Rivers State between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, where faceless groups have previously threatened to disrupt oil operations.
The Rivers State Police Command has urged residents to report any suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.
