At least 20 people have reportedly been injured and about 50 houses destroyed following a gas pipeline explosion in Aleto community, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The explosion occurred around 5 p.m. on Thursday after a pipeline belonging to the Nigeria Gas Company reportedly ruptured along Old Bori Road.
Several victims were taken to hospitals for treatment, while shops, a mechanic workshop and vehicles were also damaged.
A resident, identified as Stanley, alleged that the pipeline had been leaking for about three weeks before the incident. He claimed that community leaders had reported the leak to the company, but no effective action was taken.
The Leader of the Eleme Legislative Council, Daniel Chuma, who visited the scene, said he had earlier written to the company and petitioned relevant agencies, including the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, and the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, over the reported leakage.
Chuma expressed concern that the situation had resulted in the destruction of property and injuries to residents, adding that no representative of the company had visited the scene after the explosion.
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He said the affected area had been cordoned off, while residents were advised to move to safer locations to avoid further casualties.
Meanwhile, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, YEAC-Nigeria, confirmed the incident and called on the Rivers State Government, the Federal Government and relevant agencies to provide urgent assistance to the victims.
The organisation’s Executive Director, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene, said the fire was still burning when he issued his statement, warning that the flames had spread to nearby buildings.
He urged the authorities to contain the fire, prevent further destruction, and provide relief to affected residents.
The incident has renewed concerns over pipeline safety and the need for prompt action on reported gas leaks to prevent similar disasters.
