Explosions Rock Edo, Rivers, Leaving Dozens Injured and Property Destroyed

Explosions in Edo and Rivers states have left at least 31 people injured, destroyed homes and businesses, and raised fears that five people may have died.

In Rivers State, a gas pipeline explosion in Aleto community, Eleme Local Government Area, injured at least 20 people and damaged about 50 houses. The blast occurred around 5pm on Thursday along Old Bori Road. Stalls, a mechanic workshop and vehicles were also reportedly affected.

Residents alleged that the pipeline, said to belong to the Nigeria Gas Company, had been leaking for about three weeks before the explosion. A resident, Stanley, said community leaders had notified the company but claimed the leak had not been adequately addressed. Most of those affected were reportedly passers-by and people working in the area.

Eleme Legislative Council Leader Daniel Chuma said he had written to the company and petitioned the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency and Rivers State Ministry of Environment, copying the police, to request urgent intervention and a joint investigation. He said the community was later informed that the same pipeline had exploded, causing extensive damage and injuries.

Community members cordoned off the area and urged residents to keep away. The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre also called for authorities to assist the community. Its executive director, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene, said the fire was still burning when the organisation issued its statement. The group urged NOSDRA to identify the facility operator and conduct a joint investigation. It said it had not independently confirmed reports of fatalities.

In Edo State, a tanker explosion in Oluku, Ovia North-East Local Government Area, left 11 people with varying degrees of burns, including a pregnant woman. The injured were taken to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Five deaths were feared, but Federal Road Safety Corps State Commander Preye Ezekiel Bedford said authorities had not confirmed any fatalities as of Thursday evening.

Emergency services and security agencies remained at the scene, working to extinguish the fire and manage the aftermath. Bedford condemned fuel scooping, warning that it puts lives at risk. He said some people had ignored warnings and attacked security personnel trying to move them away from the danger zone.

A trader, Madam Grace, said her son was burned despite not scooping fuel. She also said traders had lost millions of naira. A hospital worker said his daughter’s shop was completely destroyed, although she escaped injury after closing it when she noticed the danger.

Authorities had yet to confirm the reported deaths as rescue and recovery efforts continued.