Eleme Monarch Blames Pipeline Operator for Explosion

On Thursday, a gas pipeline explosion along Old Bori Road in Eleme injured approximately 20 individuals and caused significant damage to nearly 50 houses and shops. HRM Phillip Obelle, the King of Eleme, accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited of negligence for failing to address an earlier warning about a leak.

He stated that residents had reported unusual noises from the pipeline, but the company's response was limited to erecting a barricade instead of fixing the issue. Obelle emphasized that the explosion resulted from years of neglect and aging infrastructure, not tampering by third parties.

He urged the Federal Government to intervene, highlighting the community's lack of development and employment opportunities despite its contributions to the national economy. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company confirmed the incident and stated that emergency response procedures were activated, with the cause and extent of the damage still being assessed.