Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — A massive explosion has hit the Trans-Niger Pipeline at Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, sparking a raging fire at the critical oil facility.
The cause of the blast, which occurred on Monday night, remains unclear, but the incident has raised concerns over potential sabotage.
The explosion comes amid threats from militant groups to attack oil installations if the Federal Government withholds Rivers State’s allocation due to the ongoing political crisis in the state.
At the time of filing this report, emergency response teams were yet to access the site due to the intensity of the fire, as relevant authorities have not confirmed if the explosion was caused by technical failure or human interference.
The Trans-Niger Pipeline is a key crude oil export route to the Shell Nigeria’s Bonny Terminal. The extent of damage to the facility and its impact on oil production are yet to be determined.
Details later
