Explosion Rocks Oil Pipeline In Rivers State

By Adesina Soyooye

It is not known yet whether it is a coincidence or a fallout from the political crisis in Rivers State. But a massive explosion has rocked a major oil pipeline in the State.

Hit is the Trans-Niger Pipeline at Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area.

The pipeline, a major transport route, was engulfed in flames and wild plumes of smoke.

The explosion came on the heels of threats and counter-threats over the political crisis in Rivers State. There had been threats by a couple of aggrieved groups that oil production  in the State would be disrupted if the Federal Government carries out the Supreme Court’s ruling which stopped the monthly Federation Account Allocation to the State.

The Supreme Court had, on February 28, 2025, in a major ruling on the crisis, ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the Accountant General of the Federation, to stop the funds due to the State  until Governor Siminalayi Fubara re-presents the 2025 Budget to the whole House of Assembly headed by Speaker Martin Amaewfule. The Governor had, in the wake of the now-denied defection of 27 members of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  to the All Progressive Congress, APC, presented the Budget before a four-member House led by then factional Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo.

However, all efforts by Fubara to fulfill the Court’s order have been frustrated by the Assembly members who, instead, served him and his Deputy, letters of impeachment after the Speaker adjourned the House indefinitely.

Other groups, mainly from Ijaw, had, also, warned of the consequences of impeaching Fubara, the first Ijaw to govern the State in 24 years.

The extent of the damage of the explosion which hit the pipeline Monday night is still being assessed. Whatever, not a few people see it as a bad omen and, perhaps, a harbinger of more of such ugly incidents if the crisis situation is not quickly checked.