JUST IN: Another Explosion Hits Oil Facility in Rivers as Tinubu Holds Emergency Talks

Another explosion has struck an oil facility in Rivers State, marking the second such incident in under 12 hours. The latest blast occurred Tuesday morning at a manifold in the Okwawriwa area of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA), where petroleum products are conveyed from Seplat, Agip, and Shell facilities through federal pipelines to Brass in Bayelsa State.

Eyewitnesses described massive flames erupting into the air following the explosion. Fortunately, the facility is located far from residential communities, which helped reduce the risk of casualties. This incident closely follows a separate explosion at the Trans-Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area, also in Rivers State. That pipeline, operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), transports crude to the Bonny Terminal.

In response, President Bola Tinubu has reportedly held emergency talks with National Assembly leaders and security chiefs, underscoring the seriousness of the unfolding situation. The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed that two individuals have been taken in for questioning regarding the Trans-Niger Pipeline explosion. Authorities have yet to determine the causes of either incident, but investigations are ongoing.