Fire Guts Gas Pipeline in Rivers State Amid Emergency Rule, Raising Security Concerns
A fire outbreak has been reported along the Soku-Abua-Rumuji gas pipeline in Rivers State, marking the third such incident in the oil-rich region within a week. The latest fire comes amid heightened tensions following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a six-month emergency rule in the state, partly due to repeated attacks on oil infrastructure.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, was initially described as an explosion at the Soku gas facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area by the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), a grassroots NGO operating in the Niger Delta. In a statement, YEAC-Nigeria’s Executive Director, Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, said the explosion was accompanied by fireballs visible from the facility. “The fire is still ongoing as of the time of this report,” the statement noted.
However, the Soku community leadership has denied reports of an explosion at the facility. In a statement, the General Secretary of the community, Mr. Witness Alasia, dismissed the claims, describing them as “mischievous and baseless.” He clarified that while a fire outbreak occurred along the Soku-Abua-Rumuji gas pipeline right-of-way, the Soku Gas Plant itself remains safe and operational. “It is disheartening and worrisome that people will mischievously misinform the public with a baseless and untrue story. Soku Gas Plant is safe and in perfect working condition,” Alasia said. He added that the cause of the fire remains unknown, and the operating company, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, has yet to issue an official statement.
The fire incident is the third in Rivers State within a week, raising serious concerns about the security of oil and gas infrastructure in the region. The first explosion occurred in Ogoni, followed by another in Oga/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. These incidents were referenced by President Tinubu in his nationwide broadcast on March 18, during which he declared emergency rule in Rivers State. The president cited the repeated attacks on oil facilities as a key reason for the decision, which also led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for their alleged failure to safeguard critical infrastructure.
YEAC-Nigeria has called for an immediate investigation into the Soku incident, urging the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to determine the cause of the fire and hold those responsible accountable. “Perpetrators of this crime must be held accountable in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021,” the group stated.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the Rivers State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, were unsuccessful. She requested that inquiries be sent via text message due to her busy schedule but had not responded by the time of filing this report.
The recurring fire incidents underscore the vulnerability of Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure, particularly in the Niger Delta region, which remains a hotspot for sabotage, vandalism, and environmental degradation. The attacks not only disrupt production but also pose significant environmental and safety risks to local communities.
As emergency rule takes effect in Rivers State, the federal government faces mounting pressure to address the root causes of these incidents, including community grievances, economic disparities, and the lack of effective security measures. The situation highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to protect critical infrastructure, promote dialogue with local communities, and ensure accountability for acts of sabotage.
The latest fire incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, which remains a cornerstone of the nation’s economy. Without decisive action, the cycle of violence and disruption is likely to continue, further undermining the region’s stability and economic prospects.
