Another explosion has reportedly struck a pipeline manifold in the Omwawriwa axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) in Rivers State. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, comes just hours after a separate explosion rocked the Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP) operated by Shell in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area, further heightening concerns over the safety and security of Nigeria’s critical oil infrastructure.
According to local sources, the latest explosion occurred at a manifold connected to a federal pipeline located deep within a forested area. This pipeline is a crucial conduit for transporting crude oil to Brass in Bayelsa State, a key hub for Nigeria’s oil export operations. Witnesses reported seeing massive flames and thick plumes of smoke billowing from the site, signaling a significant disruption.
As of now, the explosion has not been officially confirmed by authorities. The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, stated that she would verify the incident but had not provided further details at the time of this report.
This incident marks the second pipeline explosion in Rivers State within 24 hours, following the earlier blast at the Trans-Niger Pipeline in Bodo. The Omwawriwa explosion, like the Bodo incident, underscores the border effects of the political tension in the State.
