A powerful explosion struck the Trans-Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, igniting a major fire in the vicinity. The incident, which occurred late Monday night, has heightened concerns about the security of key infrastructure in the region. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the blast, though no official statement has been released.
This explosion comes amid growing political tensions in Rivers State, particularly between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike. The Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu, demanding urgent action. Their requests include restoring the state’s revenue allocations, halting impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara, and retracting controversial remarks allegedly made by Wike about the Ijaw people.
The NDYC has warned that failure to meet these demands could lead to severe consequences, including a potential shutdown of oil production in the Niger Delta, a move that could significantly impact Nigeria’s economy. Meanwhile, the Niger Delta Development Force (NDDF), a militant group, has also threatened to attack oil installations if the federal government continues to interfere in the state’s political affairs.
As investigations into the explosion continue, these developments point to an increasingly unstable situation in Rivers State, with possible ramifications for both the political climate and the nation’s oil industry.