An explosion has rocked a section of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) in Bodo Community, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, sending thick black smoke into the atmosphere and igniting a fast-spreading fire.
The explosion, which occurred late Monday night near the ongoing Bodo-Bonny Road construction site, caused panic among residents and raised concerns over the safety of oil infrastructure in the region. A video that surfaced on Tuesday morning showed flames engulfing the mangrove, with plumes of dark smoke billowing into the sky.
The Trans Niger Pipeline, a critical federal oil transport network, facilitates the movement of crude oil to the Bonny Export Terminal in Rivers State. Any damage to the pipeline could have significant economic and environmental consequences, potentially disrupting oil exports and affecting local communities.
When contacted for comments, the spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, stated that she would investigate the situation and provide further information. However, as of the time of filing this report, no official statement had been released regarding the cause of the explosion or any potential casualties.
The incident has reignited concerns over the vulnerability of Nigeria’s oil pipelines, which have been targets of vandalism, oil theft, and occasional technical failures. Authorities are expected to launch an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion and assess the extent of the damage.
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