Explosion rocks pipeline in Rivers, police arrest 2 suspects
Security personnel in Rivers State have arrested two persons over the Trans-Niger Pipeline explosion that rocked the Bodo community of the state and have also begun an investigation into the matter.
Fire from the explosion, which ripped through the mangrove, happened on Monday night but has been put out.
Spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command Grace Iringe-Iroko said some persons have been taken in for questioning over the incident.
“The Rivers State Police Command has commenced a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire. In connection with this, two individuals have been taken in for questioning as part of efforts to uncover any potential act of sabotage,” the police spokesperson said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to her, security operatives during a night patrol observed the incident which happened at the border of Kpor and Bodo communities and alerted the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), which operates the pipeline.
“The latter initiated necessary safety protocols, including shutting down the affected pipeline,” Iringe-Iroko said.
“As a result of swift intervention, the situation is now under control, and there is no further threat to residents or the environment.”
The explosion, which sent thick black smoke into the sky, caused devastating fire into the mangrove.
Some residents of the area later gathered around the scene of the incident, trying to keep watch over the place.
The Minister of Regional Affairs Abubakar Momoh had earlier said details of the incident are sketchy, but investigations are ongoing into the explosion.
“Up till this moment, we have not been able to get clear details as to what caused that very explosion, but investigations are going on,” the minister said on Channels Television’s Lunchtime Politics.
He, however, said “a clear picture” of what happened will be revealed, “in due time”.
The pipeline transports crude to the Bonny Export Terminal in Rivers State.
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