An explosion has occurred at the Soku oil facility in Rivers State.
Newsone Nigeria reports that another explosion has struck the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, south-south Nigeria barely a week after a major explosion occurred at the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area.
A grassroots NGO with strong networks across the Niger Delta, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), confirmed the Soku Oil Facility explosion on Sunday, March 23, 2025.
YEAC, in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, said it received reports from its youth volunteers about an early morning explosion at the Soku oil facility operated by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited.
According to the statement: “An explosion accompanied by fireballs was heard and seen in the sky from the facility area, which is difficult to reach. The fire is still ongoing as of the time of this report.”
The cause of the explosion at the Soku oil facility remains uncertain, with speculations ranging from “equipment failure, sabotage, and deliberate attack.”
Meanwhile, Newsone reports that this marks the third explosion at oil facilities in Rivers State in less than a week. The first occurred in Ogoni, while the second was in Oga/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, an incident referenced by President Bola Tinubu in his March 18 nationwide broadcast while declaring a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State.
Following these incidents, President Bola Tinubu suspended the Rivers State House of Assembly, Deputy Governor, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, citing his alleged failure to protect oil infrastructure
The decision followed threats by some youths in a viral video warning against Governor Fubara’s impeachment.
YEAC-Nigeria has called for an urgent investigation into the Soku explosion. The group urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to determine the cause.
“Perpetrators of this crime must be held accountable in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021,” the statement concluded.