An explosion has rocked the Trans-Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, late on Monday night. The blast occurred near the Bodo-Bonny Road, which is currently under construction. The affected section of the major pipeline is ablaze, with the exact cause of the explosion still under investigation.
At this point, it is unclear whether the incident was a result of human interference, particularly in light of recent threats from militant groups to target oil installations in the region. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
Following the incident, police authorities in the oil-rich state say they have arrested two persons over the inferno.
In a statement, the spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command Grace Iringe-Iroko said the persons were “taken in for questioning as part of efforts to uncover any potential act of sabotage”.
But she called for calm, saying “As a result of a swift intervention, the situation is now under control, and there is no further threat to residents or the environment”.
