Rivers Gas Pipeline Explosion Destroys 50 Houses, Injures About 20
A gas pipeline explosion in Aleto community, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, has reportedly injured about 20 people and destroyed more than 50 houses.
The explosion occurred around 5 p.m. on Thursday along Old Bori Road, reportedly involving a ruptured pipeline belonging to the Nigeria Gas Company, according to local accounts.
Several houses and vehicles were damaged in the incident, while injured residents were reportedly rushed to hospitals for treatment as others fled the affected area.
A resident identified as Emmanuel alleged that the pipeline had been leaking for approximately three weeks before the explosion, despite complaints reportedly made to the company.
According to him, community leaders had notified the Nigeria Gas Company about the suspected leak, but their concerns allegedly received no effective response before the explosion occurred.
Daniel Chuma, leader of the Eleme Legislative Council, said he had written to the company concerning the leak and petitioned relevant authorities to intervene urgently.
Chuma disclosed that the community had also contacted the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and Rivers State Ministry of Environment, copying the police.
He said the authorities had been asked to conduct a joint investigation and take urgent measures to address the suspected leak before a dangerous incident occurred.
According to Chuma, the explosion affected the same pipeline that had previously raised concerns, destroying more than 50 houses and several vehicles while leaving numerous people injured.
He added that residents immediately fled the area for safety, while those who arrived later were advised to remain at a distance to prevent further danger.
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) also confirmed the incident and appealed to relevant authorities to provide urgent assistance to affected residents of Aleto.
The organisation’s executive director, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene, called on the Rivers State Government, Federal Government, environmental agencies and other relevant bodies to respond swiftly to the emergency.
Dumnamene described the incident as serious, stressing the need for immediate intervention following the reported destruction of properties and injuries sustained by residents during the explosion.
However, YEAC-Nigeria stated that it had not independently confirmed any fatalities as of the time its statement was issued concerning the incident in Aleto community.
The organisation said its volunteers visited the scene to verify the incident and confirmed the presence of officials from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
It also noted that the precise cause of the explosion had yet to be independently verified, making further investigation necessary to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
YEAC-Nigeria urged NOSDRA to identify the operator responsible for the affected facility and conduct a Joint Investigation Visit to determine the circumstances surrounding the explosion.
The environmental organisation further called on the agency to invoke relevant provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, where appropriate, following the incident in Rivers State.
The reported weeks-long leak has raised concerns about pipeline safety and the handling of complaints from communities living near gas infrastructure across the Niger Delta region.
As affected residents face the consequences of the explosion, calls for emergency assistance and a thorough investigation continue, while authorities are expected to establish the cause.
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