50 houses razed, scores injured as explosion rocks Rivers community

Five people are feared dead and at least 31 others injured after two separate explosions struck Edo and Rivers states in Nigeria, according to local reports. In Rivers State, a gas pipeline explosion in Aleto community, Eleme Local Government Area, on Thursday evening reportedly injured at least 20 people and destroyed about 50 houses. In Edo State, a tanker explosion in Oluku, Ovia North-East Local Government Area, left 11 people with varying degrees of burns, including a pregnant woman, while five people were feared dead. The injured victims in Edo were rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, where they were receiving treatment as of Thursday. The explosions also caused significant damage to businesses and property, with traders in both communities counting their losses. In Rivers, the explosion occurred around 5pm along Old Bori Road in Aleto, reportedly following a leak from a pipeline belonging to the Nigeria Gas Company. Several victims were rushed to hospitals, while stalls, a mechanic workshop and vehicles parked within the premises were reportedly affected. A resident, who identified himself as Stanley, alleged that the pipeline had been leaking for about three weeks before the explosion. He said community leaders had notified the company about the leak but alleged that no adequate measures were taken to address it. Most of those affected were passers-by and people doing business in the area. Daniel Chuma, the Leader of the Eleme Legislative Council, who visited the scene, said he had written to the company about the leak and petitioned relevant authorities, but no concrete action was taken to stop it. He stated that a leakage on another section of the Nigeria Gas Company had previously been reported and that no representative of the company had visited the scene as of the time he spoke. Community members had cordoned off the area with barrier tape and advised residents to stay away to prevent further incidents. The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre called on the relevant authorities to intervene and assist the affected community. Dr Fyneface Dumnamene, the Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, said the fire was still burning when the organisation issued its statement and that surrounding buildings had been affected. He added that some residents had reportedly been hospitalised but said the organisation had not independently confirmed any fatalities. Members of the Advocacy Centre's volunteers who visited the scene for independent verification confirmed the presence of officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on the ground. YEAC-Nigeria called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency to identify the facility operator and conduct a Joint Investigation Visit to the site, as well as invoke relevant provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, where appropriate. In Edo State, the Federal Road Safety Corps State Commander, Preye Ezekiel Bedford, said he could not confirm reports of deaths following the tanker explosion in Oluku. He said security agencies and emergency responders, including the police, military, FRSC and federal and local authorities, were on the scene.