An explosion has hit the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) in Bodo Community, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, late Monday night near the under-construction Bodo-Bonny Road.
ByTuesday morning, there were thick black smoke billowing into the atmosphere and a raging fire spreading rapidly into the mangrove.
The TNP, operated by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), is a critical oil transport line supplying up to 180,000 barrels per day to the Bonny Export Terminal. Completed in 1965, the pipeline has faced numerous challenges over the years, including oil theft and spills.
Bodo Community has been particularly affected by incidents involving the Trans Niger Pipeline. In August 2022, a leak caused by third-party interference led to an oil spill that contaminated farmlands and water sources. Additionally, in March 2023, an explosion at the Rumuekpe section of the TNP was attributed to oil theft activities.
Trans Niger Pipeline
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The Rivers State Police Command has launched an investigation into the cause of the explosion. The spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Iroko, confirmed that two individuals have been taken in for questioning as part of efforts to determine if there was any sabotage involved.
“The Rivers State Police Command has commenced a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire. In connection with this, two individuals have been taken in for questioning as part of efforts to uncover any potential act of sabotage,” she said in a statement on Tuesday.
According to her, security operatives on a night patrol observed the explosion at the border of Kpor and Bodo communities and alerted the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), which operates the pipeline. The company then activated emergency protocols, including shutting down the affected pipeline.
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“As a result of swift intervention, the situation is now under control, and there is no further threat to residents or the environment,” she added.
The TNP is a critical oil transport route supplying up to 180,000 barrels per day to the Bonny Export Terminal. However, it has been plagued by oil theft, leaks, and previous explosions. In August 2022, an oil spill linked to third-party interference contaminated farmlands and water sources in the region. Similarly, in March 2023, an explosion at the Rumuekpe section of the pipeline was traced to oil theft activities.
Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Affairs, Abubakar Momoh, acknowledged that details about the latest explosion remain unclear but assured that investigations are ongoing. “Up till this moment, we have not been able to get clear details as to what caused that very explosion, but investigations are going on,” he said on Tuesday.
He added that a clearer picture of what happened would be revealed in due time.
