Rivers on Fire? Explosion Rocks NLNG Pipeline in Soku Amid Conflicting Reports and Political Tension
In a combustible mix of political crisis and public misinformation, an explosion has been confirmed near the Soku oil facility operated by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
While the exact cause of the explosion remains unknown—whether due to equipment failure, sabotage, or a targeted attack—what’s certain is that fireballs were witnessed at the site, confirming yet another disturbing incident in the already volatile region.
The confirmation came from Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, Executive Director of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), who described the explosion as serious and impactful.
However, in a swift effort to manage public anxiety and protect vital infrastructure, the Soku Kingdom leadership has issued a counter-statement, denying claims that the Soku Gas Plant itself was damaged.
“There was no explosion at the gas plant. The fire occurred on a gas pipeline along the Soku-Abua-Rumuji route, not the facility itself,” said Mr. Witness Alasia, General Secretary of Soku Kingdom.
“These falsehoods being pushed online are disheartening and dangerous,” he added.
The Rivers Crisis: A Powder Keg
This explosion comes on the heels of President Bola Tinubu’s March 18 national broadcast, where he declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, citing increasing threats to oil infrastructure and political stability.
With the ongoing impeachment drama surrounding suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and reports of multiple attacks on oil assets, Rivers State is under intense scrutiny. However, not all explosions reported have turned out to be true.
In one case, a viral video falsely claimed that suspected militants bombed NNPCL flow stations at Cawthorne Channel. The video was traced back to an earlier explosion from February 19, 2025, at Iloamatoru, Bonny—where three people tragically lost their lives.
Yet, there have been confirmed incidents, including explosions in Bodo Community, Ogoniland, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, adding to the state’s combustible atmosphere.
Between Truth, Panic, and Propaganda
The latest incident highlights the urgent need for clarity and accurate reporting, especially in a region where misinformation can have devastating political, economic, and social consequences.
Whether sabotage, negligence, or coincidence, the Soku oil facility explosion adds yet another layer to Nigeria’s ever-growing crisis of oil asset vulnerability, public mistrust, and political instability in the Niger Delta.
