Osamagbe Imadiyi
The Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru LGA of Rivers State is reported to have experienced another explosion, just one week after a significant explosion on the Trans-Niger pipeline in Bodo, Gokana LGA. The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), a grassroots non-governmental organization that is well-established in communities throughout the Niger Delta, alerted the public to the latest development by confirming that it was informed early yesterday morning of an alleged explosion at the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area, which is run by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG Limited.
The organization said it verified the explosion through its network of local youth volunteers in a statement in Port Harcourt that was signed by Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, the Executive Director. The report states that “the fire is still ongoing at the time of this report and an explosion accompanied by fireballs was heard and seen in the sky from the facility area which is hard to reach. “However, the advocacy center has demanded an investigation into the most recent Soku incident and requested that the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, or NOSDRA, conduct a joint investigation visit to the region in order to identify the cause of the explosion.
Fresh tension in the Niger Delta over the weekend was sparked by a confidential report that militant leaders had regrouped at an undisclosed creek community to organize and coordinate group attacks on oil facilities. A trustworthy source stated that the militant leaders were having lengthy discussions with other leaders to ensure the full participation of the various militant groups in the Niger Delta, even though the details were not clear yesterday. The commandant general of the Riverine Security (Coast-Guard of the Federation), Commander Bibi Oduku, cautioned President Tinubu to reevaluate suspending Fubara after confirming the “high threats in the Niger Delta and probable impact on Nigeria’s economy.”
He said: “Give careful thought to suspending the governor of Rivers State due to the increased tensions and dangers in the Niger Delta, President Bola Tinubu.” The country’s economy is at serious risk from these dangers. Militant organizations intend to target federal government buildings throughout the Niger Delta, and criminals may take advantage of the situation to commit crimes.” Both military personnel serving in peacekeeping and innocent civilians may lose their lives as a result of this. “However, Commander Oduku promised that “Riverine security officers are alert and prepared to stop unauthorized groups from committing crimes and will collaborate closely with the Nigerian military and other security agencies to capture those responsible for attacks on federal government properties.”
