Explosions in Edo and Rivers states have left five people feared dead and injured at least 31 others, including a pregnant woman, while destroying houses, shops and other property worth millions of naira.
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, including a pregnant woman, with varying degrees of burns, 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.
“The pipeline has caused injuries and damaged properties. This pipeline has been leaking for about three weeks before the explosion today,” he said.
Stanley added that community leaders had notified the company about the leak but alleged that no adequate measures were taken to address it.
He said most of those affected were passers-by and people doing business in the area.
The Leader of the Eleme Legislative Council, Daniel Chuma, 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.
“There was a leakage on another section of the Nigeria Gas Company. We wrote to them and submitted a petition to NOSDRA and the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, copying the police, for urgent intervention.
“We asked for a joint investigation. We don’t know what they did before they left. Today, we were called to an explosion involving the same pipeline of the Nigeria Gas Company, which has destroyed over 50 houses and cars, with many casualties. People have been rushed to the hospital,” Chuma said.
He alleged that no representative of the company had visited the scene as of the time he spoke.
Chuma said community members had cordoned off the area with barrier tape and advised residents to stay away to prevent further incidents.
Meanwhile, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre called on the relevant authorities to intervene and assist the affected community.
The Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene, 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,” he said.
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 state fire services, were still at the scene on Thursday evening, working to put out the remaining fire and manage the aftermath.
Asked about reports that some people had died, Bedford said the authorities had yet to receive confirmed information on any fatalities.
“Well, for now, we have not got any information on that. I think while they are clearing and evacuating the debris, if it is true, we might get to know about it,” he said.
On the number of casualties, he said, “For the casualty level, I think what I have just got now is 11 casualties.”
Bedford condemned the practice of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, describing it as dangerous. He also alleged that some people ignored warnings from security personnel and attacked them as they attempted to move people away from the danger zone.
He said the FRSC would intensify public enlightenment through town hall meetings, churches and other community platforms to discourage people from scooping fuel and exposing themselves to danger.
One of the market women in Oluku, identified as Madam Grace, said her son was among those burnt in the incident.
“This is a very bad situation. My son was not scooping fuel, but the fire caught where he was standing. I pray that he recovers from this,” she said.
Grace said several traders had suffered significant financial losses.
“Most of us traders have lost millions,” she added.
A worker at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, who identified himself as Gideon, said his daughter’s shop was completely burnt. He added that she escaped injury because she had locked up the shop after noticing what was happening.