By Gwurld4026 
Breaking: Rivers State Gas Facility Hit by Another Devastating Explosion
On March 23, 2025, an explosion occurred near the Soku Gas Plant in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. This incident marks the third explosion at oil and gas facilities in the state within a week, following previous blasts in Ogoni and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas.
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) reported that early Sunday morning, fireballs were observed in the sky near the Soku facility, operated by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited. The exact cause of the explosion remains undetermined, with possibilities ranging from equipment failure to sabotage. The fire was ongoing at the time of the report.
However, community leaders from the Soku area have refuted claims of an explosion at the gas plant itself. Mr. Witness Alasia, General Secretary of the Soku community, stated that the facility is in perfect working condition. He acknowledged a fire outbreak along the Soku-Abua-Rumuji gas pipeline right of way but noted that the cause remains undetermined.
These incidents have raised significant concerns about the safety and security of oil and gas infrastructure in Rivers State. In response to the escalating situation, President Bola Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency in the state on March 18, 2025, aiming to address pipeline vandalism and political instability. The President also suspended the state governor, deputy governor, and all lawmakers, appointing a retired vice admiral as caretaker to manage the state’s affairs during this period.
The federal government has emphasized the need for accurate information dissemination and is urging authorities to conduct thorough investigations into these incidents to ensure the protection of critical oil and gas infrastructure in the region.