A pipeline explosion has occurred at a manifold in the Omwawriwa axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) in Rivers State. The incident, which took place on Tuesday, comes just hours after a similar explosion rocked the Trans Niger Pipeline, operated by Shell, in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area.
The latest explosion reportedly occurred at a manifold connected to a federal pipeline deep within a forested area. The pipeline is a critical infrastructure that transports crude oil to Brass in Bayelsa State. Although the incident has yet to be officially confirmed, community sources reported seeing massive flames and thick plumes of smoke billowing from the oil installation.
Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, stated that she would verify the incident but had not provided an official response at the time of this report. A video obtained by our correspondent shows a large fire raging in a remote location, further corroborating eyewitness accounts.
In a related development, Ijaw youths staged a protest on Tuesday, blocking the Ahoada axis of the East-West Road leading to Bayelsa State. Over 100 demonstrators gathered, carrying placards in solidarity with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara amid his ongoing political dispute with the state House of Assembly. Some of the placards bore messages such as, “We demand Wike’s sack as FCT Minister” and “Martin Amaewhule and 26 lawmakers have defected and lost their seats.”
The explosion and subsequent protest highlight the growing tensions and challenges in the region, both in terms of infrastructure security and political stability. Authorities are yet to determine the cause of the pipeline explosion or the extent of the damage.