Agorehmi Bright, Reporting
THE Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has commenced an assessment into the cause and impact of a gas pipeline explosion that rocked the Aleto community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, even as community leaders accuse the operator of neglecting warning signs.
The explosion occurred on Thursday, 15 October 2026, on a gas pipeline belonging to NNPC’s subsidiary, the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company Limited (NGIC).
The blast ruptured the pipeline, spilling thick mud and stones over 200 metres from the point of failure, with eyewitnesses describing an eruption that shot more than 100 metres into the air and forced residents to flee.
In a statement issued by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, NNPC Ltd confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the incident and the full extent of the damage.
The company said relevant operational records, including previous reports and actions taken, would be reviewed to establish the circumstances surrounding the explosion and to guide appropriate corrective measures.
NGIC activated its emergency response procedures immediately after the incident, isolating the affected section of the pipeline to minimise further impact.
The company is collaborating with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), security agencies and other stakeholders to coordinate emergency operations and assess the impact on people, property and the environment.
NNPC expressed concern over reports of injuries and damage to homes and businesses, stating that protecting lives and preventing further harm remain its immediate priorities.
It urged residents and the public to stay away from the affected area and to comply strictly with safety directives issued by emergency responders.
However, the King of Eleme Kingdom, His Royal Majesty King Philip Obele, Oneh-Eh Eleme, has blamed the Nigerian Gas Company Limited for negligence, insisting the explosion was preventable.
Speaking after visiting the scene on Friday, the monarch disclosed that the community had earlier noticed strange noises from the pipeline and promptly reported them to the company.
“Instead of arresting the situation, they just put a barricade and left. Now see the result,” King Obele said, lamenting that the company had yet to issue any official statement a day after the incident.
He called on the government to intervene to prevent a recurrence, adding: “Let them consider communities that are the engine house economically to the Federal Government.
“We’re being neglected. It’s very bad. No development, no employment, nothing. We are the geese that lay the golden eggs.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Eleme LGA, Chief Obarilomate Ollor, has advised residents living along the affected pipeline corridor to temporarily relocate to safer areas as a precaution against health and environmental hazards.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ate Chinwi, Ollor called on relevant regulatory agencies and the operating company to shut down the facility where necessary and commence urgent containment measures.
He assured residents that a joint investigation would be conducted to ascertain the cause and extent of the spill, with appropriate sanctions against culpable parties in line with environmental regulations.
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) confirmed that no lives were lost, though some residents were hospitalised.
The group attributed the explosion to alleged equipment failure and urged the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit.
The incident occurred barely weeks after a gas leak was recorded about 400 metres from the same spot, along the pipeline linking the Indorama Industrial Complex and the Port Harcourt Refinery.
The spill has since been temporarily contained, though the cause of the explosion is yet to be officially established.
NNPC Ltd reaffirmed its commitment to the safety of host communities, environmental protection and the responsible operation of its facilities, assuring that further updates would be released as verified information becomes available.
