At least 20 people have been injured and more than 50 houses damaged or destroyed following a gas pipeline explosion in Aleto community, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Thursday evening.
The explosion reportedly occurred at about 5 p.m. along Old Bori Road after a pipeline attributed to the Nigeria Gas Company ruptured, triggering a fire that spread to nearby buildings, business premises and vehicles.
Several victims were rushed to hospitals for treatment, while stalls and a mechanic workshop where cars were parked were also reportedly affected.
Residents alleged that the pipeline had been leaking for approximately three weeks before the explosion, despite complaints to the relevant company and appeals for urgent intervention.
A resident identified as Stanley said the prolonged leakage had raised concerns before the incident.
“The pipeline has caused injuries and damaged properties. This pipeline has been leaking for about three weeks before the explosion today,” he said.
He added that community leaders had notified the company about the leak but that adequate measures had not been taken to address the danger. According to him, many of those affected were passers-by and people conducting business in the area.
Community Leaders Allege Negligence
The Leader of the Eleme Legislative Council, Daniel Chuma, who visited the scene, confirmed the incident and alleged that previous complaints to the company and relevant authorities had not resulted in effective action.
Chuma said he had written to the company and petitioned the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, with the police copied, seeking urgent intervention over a pipeline leak.
“There was a leakage on another section of the Nigeria Gas Company. We wrote to them and submitted a petition to NOSDRA and the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, copying the police for urgent intervention,” he said.
He added that the community had requested a joint investigation into the leakage but was uncertain about the action taken by the relevant authorities before they left the area.
“Today, we were called to an explosion at the same Nigeria Gas Company pipeline that has destroyed over 50 houses and cars, with many casualties. People have been rushed to the hospital,” Chuma said.
He further claimed that no representative of the company had visited the scene following the explosion.
Chuma said community members had cordoned off the affected area with barrier tape and warned residents to keep their distance to prevent further casualties.
YEAC Calls for Urgent Intervention
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), an organisation that monitors environmental incidents, also confirmed the explosion and reported that several people had been hospitalised.
Its Executive Director, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene, called on the Rivers State Government, the Federal Government, NOSDRA and other relevant agencies to provide emergency assistance to affected residents and investigate the incident.
“We are using this medium to call on the relevant authorities, the Rivers State Government, the Ministry of Environment, NOSDRA, the Federal Government and all the bodies involved in checking oil spills and gas explosions to come to the aid of Aleto people. This is a serious incident,” he said.
Dumnamene said the fire was still burning when the organisation issued its statement, with flames affecting surrounding buildings.
He disclosed that YEAC-Nigeria volunteers had visited the scene to verify the incident and urged NOSDRA to identify the operator responsible for the affected facility and conduct a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV).
The organisation also called for the relevant provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 to be invoked where applicable.
Emergency Response and Investigation
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was reportedly at the scene monitoring developments and participating in rescue efforts as the fire continued to pose a threat to nearby properties.
Although initial reports linked the explosion to a rupture in a gas pipeline, the precise cause had not been independently established as of the time of filing this report. Further investigation is expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and establish responsibility.
The explosion has raised fresh concerns about pipeline safety, the timely response to reported leaks and the protection of communities living and doing business near critical energy infrastructure.
Residents of Aleto now face the immediate challenges of medical treatment for the injured, damage to homes and businesses, and uncertainty over the safety of the affected area.
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