Rivers State Records Another Pipeline Explosion in ONELGA After Gokana Blast

Another pipeline explosion has hit Rivers State, marking the second incident within 24 hours. The latest explosion occurred Tuesday evening at a manifold connected to a federal pipeline in Omwawriwa, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA).

Residents reportedly spotted massive flames and thick smoke rising from the site, which is located deep in the forest. The affected pipeline is said to transport crude oil from Seplat, Agip, and Shell through ONELGA and parts of Imo State to Brass in Bayelsa State.

The cause of the explosion remains unknown. Community sources said the fire was already raging when people noticed, and no one could determine what triggered it. At press time, there was no official confirmation of casualties or the extent of the damage.

This incident comes just hours after an explosion rocked the Trans-Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area, on Monday night. The pipeline, operated by Shell, is a major crude oil export route to the Bonny Terminal.

Authorities are yet to determine what caused the explosions, but police say sabotage has not been ruled out. Both explosions notably occurred amid heightened political tension in Rivers State, with the Federal Government withholding the state’s allocation and the State House of Assembly moving to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.

Militant groups had recently issued threats in response to the political crisis and warned of possible attacks on oil facilities. The Rivers State Police Command said it had launched investigations into both explosions. Spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed that two individuals had been taken in for interrogation over the Gokana explosion, but no arrests have been made regarding the ONELGA incident yet.

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