Gas
Gas pipeline blast destroys homes and injures twenty in Rivers State
A gas pipeline explosion in Rivers State has left over twenty people injured and destroyed more than fifty houses, prompting urgent calls for emergency intervention.
Key points
- An explosion on Thursday evening along Old Bori Road in Aleto community, Eleme Local Government Area, injured at least twenty people.
- Over fifty houses, along with vehicles and local businesses, were destroyed by the resulting fire.
- Local leaders and residents reported that a gas leak had been observed on the Nigeria Gas Company pipeline prior to the incident.
What happened
A gas pipeline explosion struck the Aleto community in the Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State on Thursday evening, according to reports from Head Topics and Arise News. The blast, located along Old Bori Road, injured at least twenty individuals and razed more than fifty houses. Vehicles, stalls, and a mechanic workshop were also damaged by the fire.
Accounts regarding the cause of the disaster varied. Some residents pointed to suspected pipeline vandalism, while others stated that the infrastructure had been leaking for approximately three weeks prior to the explosion. Security forces, including the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, cordoned off the area.
Why it matters
Community leaders expressed grave concern over the safety of local energy infrastructure. The paramount ruler of Eleme, King Philip Obele, noted that the region hosts numerous oil and gas facilities, leaving residents exposed to severe environmental and health challenges.
Chief Obarilomate Ollor, the chairman of the Eleme Local Government Council, urged the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the affected corridor. He called on the Nigeria Gas Company, a subsidiary of NNPC Limited, to inspect the damage, determine the root cause, and evaluate the condition of ageing pipelines in the area.
What comes next
Daniel Chuma, leader of the Eleme Legislative Council, stated that local authorities had previously petitioned the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, and the police regarding a prior leak on the pipeline.
Victims and community representatives are pressing for thorough technical investigations, medical assistance for those hospitalised, and compensation for damaged property. Meanwhile, advocacy groups like the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre have appealed to federal and state regulators to deliver immediate aid to the displaced residents.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Gas is the flexible backbone of many grids and the designated transition fuel in many national plans, from LNG trade to domestic LPG and CNG. Supply security and pricing drive both power reliability and emissions.
21.9% of electricity in the world came from gas in 2024Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
