Gas
Gas pipeline blast injures 20 and destroys 50 houses in Rivers State
An explosion on a Nigeria Gas Company pipeline in Eleme has left 20 people injured and dozens of homes destroyed.
Key points
- An explosion on a Nigeria Gas Company pipeline occurred on Thursday evening in Aleto, Rivers State.
- Local residents and officials stated that the pipeline had been leaking for several weeks prior to the blast.
- Community representatives had previously petitioned regulatory bodies and the company regarding the leak.
What happened
At least 20 individuals sustained injuries and approximately 50 houses were destroyed following a gas pipeline explosion in the Aleto community of Rivers State. According to Ripples Nigeria, the incident took place on Thursday evening along Old Bori Road. A pipeline operated by the Nigeria Gas Company ruptured, causing a fire that engulfed nearby properties, vehicles, and shops.
Why it matters
Residents and local authorities reported that the infrastructure had been leaking for nearly three weeks before the blast. Daniel Chuma, leader of the Eleme Legislative Council, stated that the community had previously alerted the operator, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, and the police about the fault.
What comes next
Victims have been transported to medical facilities for care, while community members have cordoned off the hazardous zone. Dr Fyneface Dumnamene, executive director of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, urged both state and federal authorities to provide immediate assistance to the affected population.
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.
