Just three hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, a new video has surfaced suggesting another pipeline explosion, this time in the Gbarain Kingdom of Bayelsa State.
The footage, which has yet to be officially confirmed, shows thick plumes of smoke and flames rising from what appears to be an oil installation deep within the forested area. This incident, if verified, adds another layer of complexity to the already volatile situation in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region.
President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State earlier on Tuesday came in response to a prolonged political crisis and rampant pipeline vandalism that had brought governance to a standstill.
The President suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state’s House of Assembly, appointing a retired military officer, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas, as Administrator to restore order. The move was aimed at addressing political instability, curbing oil theft, and safeguarding critical infrastructure.
However, the reported explosion in Gbarain Kingdom of Bayelsa State raises concerns about the potential spread of violence and sabotage beyond Rivers State. While the cause of the alleged explosion remains unclear, authorities will work to verify the explosion and assess its impact.
