By our Correspondent
An explosion has rocked the Trans-Niger Pipeline at Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
According to reports, the affected section of the major pipeline occurred on Monday night, though the exact cause of the explosion remains unknown as of press time.
Authorities have yet to determine whether the incident resulted from human interference, especially amid recent threats by militant groups to attack oil installations in response to the federal government’s withholding of Rivers State’s allocation due to the ongoing political crisis.
A Federal High Court in Abuja in October 2024 ordered the stoppage of the release of federal monthly allocations from the consolidated funds to the Rivers State government
The infrastructure is a critical export pipeline that transports crude to the Bonny Terminal and could affect Nigeria’s oil production which has continued to make recoveries despite security and infrastructure challenges.
This development comes as the Rivers State House of Assembly moved to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu.
The Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly loyal to the former governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory ,FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, served Mr Fubara and Prof Odu with a notice of alleged gross misconduct, signalling an imminent impeachment process.
The notice listing the alleged misconduct sent to the Speaker was sequel to a letter dated March 14, 2025, signed by 26 members of the Assembly.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has commenced a thorough investigation to determine the cause of a fire outbreak at the border of Kpor and Bodo communities in Rivers State.
The Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, said in a statement that, as part of the investigation, two individuals have been taken in for questioning to uncover any potential act of sabotage.
The Police Command assured residents of their commitment to protecting lives and property and urged them to remain calm and vigilant.
Iringe-Koko also encouraged members of the public to contact the nearest police station with any useful information regarding the incident or any suspicious activities
Recall that a fire incident occurred at the Shell Petroleum Development Company ,SPDC, operated Trans Niger Delta Pipeline, located at the border of Kpor and Bodo communities in Rivers State.
The incident was discovered during a routine night patrol by security operatives, who promptly alerted SPDC management.
The swift intervention of the security operatives and SPDC management ensured that the situation was brought under control and that there was no further threat to residents or the environment. The affected pipeline was shut down as part of the necessary safety protocols.
