On March 23, 2025, another explosion rocked the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State. This incident marks the third explosion at oil facilities in the state within a week. The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), a grassroots NGO active in the Niger Delta, confirmed the explosion. Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, YEAC’s Executive Director, reported that early in the morning, an explosion accompanied by fireballs was observed in the sky near the facility. The fire was ongoing at the time of the report.
The cause of the explosion remains uncertain, with speculations ranging from equipment failure to sabotage or deliberate attacks. This incident follows two other explosions in the region: one in Ogoni and another in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. In response to these events, President Bola Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025. He also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor, and the Rivers State House of Assembly, citing their alleged failure to protect oil infrastructure.
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 to determine the cause. They emphasized that perpetrators must be held accountable in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.
These recurring explosions have raised concerns about the safety and security of oil facilities in Rivers State. The federal government’s intervention aims to address the situation and prevent further incidents.
