Port Harcourt, March 23, 2025 | A powerful explosion tore through a facility operated by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited in Rivers State early this morning, sending shockwaves through the Soku oil field in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area. The blast, reported at around 4:00 a.m., lit up the pre-dawn sky with a massive fireball, leaving residents rattled and reigniting fears over the safety of Nigeria’s vital energy infrastructure. As of 6:31 p.m. today, thick smoke still hung over the site, and the cause remained under investigation though whispers of sabotage, equipment failure, or an intentional attack were already swirling.
For the people of Rivers State, it’s a grim case of déjà vu. This marks the third explosion at an oil or gas facility in the region in just over a week, following a blast at the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana LGA, and another in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA. The string of incidents has thrust the state into the spotlight, amplifying concerns about security and stability in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta. “We woke up to a boom that shook the house,” said Ebi Preye, a fisherman living near the Soku facility. “The heat and the smell it’s like the air itself is burning. We’re scared to even step outside.”
The NLNG facility, a critical hub that feeds the Bonny Island export terminal, is no stranger to scrutiny. Local youth volunteers with the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) were among the first to report the explosion, describing a scene of chaos as flames engulfed parts of the site. “It’s hard to get close,” said one volunteer, who asked not to be named. “The fire’s still going, and no one knows what’s next.” The group’s executive director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that while the exact trigger was unclear, the impact was undeniable.
This latest explosion lands against a tense backdrop. Just five days ago, on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the governor’s alleged failure to protect key oil assets. The move saw Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state House of Assembly suspended a decision that followed a viral video of youths threatening retaliation if Fubara faced impeachment. Tinubu referenced the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni blast in his nationwide address, underscoring the economic stakes: Nigeria’s oil and gas sector remains a lifeline for federal revenue, and disruptions here hit hard.
In Soku, the mood is a mix of fear and frustration. “This isn’t new,” said Amaka Ofor, a shopkeeper in nearby Abonnema. “Pipelines blow up, companies promise to fix things, and we’re still here breathing smoke.” Past incidents like a 2021 pipeline explosion in Emohua that killed 20 or a 2015 fire at an Agip facility in the same region have left communities wary of quick fixes. NLNG officials, reached late today, said they were “actively monitoring” the situation and working with authorities to contain the blaze. “Our priority is safety,” a spokesperson said, declining to speculate on the cause until a full assessment was complete.
But for many, the response feels too familiar. The Niger Delta has long grappled with a volatile mix of aging infrastructure, illegal oil bunkering, and unrest over resource control. Sabotage is a frequent suspect vandals targeting pipelines for profit or protest but mechanical failures can’t be ruled out in facilities pushed to their limits. “We’ve seen this before,” said environmental activist Kelechi Nwosu. “Whether it’s a bomb or a breakdown, the result is the same: our rivers burn, our air chokes, and no one’s held accountable.”
The timing couldn’t be worse. Nigeria’s government is already wrestling with economic strain, and the NLNG’s Bonny terminal is a cornerstone of its liquefied natural gas exports a sector that brought in billions last year. Another disruption risks rippling far beyond Rivers State, hitting global supply chains and local livelihoods alike. “I fish to feed my family,” Preye said, staring at the horizon. “If this keeps up, there’ll be nothing left to catch.”
As night falls, emergency crews are still battling the fire, their lights flickering against the smoke. The state of emergency looms large, and with two prior blasts unresolved, this latest explosion has turned up the heat on an already simmering crisis. For now, Rivers residents wait some praying, some packing, hoping the next boom isn’t closer to home.