Gas Pipeline Explosion in Rivers State Injures Residents

On Thursday afternoon, a gas pipeline explosion occurred in the Aleto community of Eleme Local Government Area, resulting in multiple injuries and damage to several buildings. Eyewitnesses reported that the pipeline, owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), erupted into flames shortly after 2pm.

Injured residents were evacuated to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment. The fire continued to burn at the time of reporting, and no fatalities had been confirmed.

Dr Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, Executive Director of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), stated that the incident had been verified by volunteers sent to the scene. He noted that officials from the Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were present, but the cause of the explosion remained uncertain, with initial reports suggesting a pipeline rupture due to equipment failure.

YEAC-Nigeria urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit to determine the cause of the incident.