Authorities in Rivers State, Nigeria, have arrested two individuals in connection with the Trans-Niger Pipeline explosion that rocked the Bodo community on Monday night.
The explosion, which sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky and ignited the mangrove, has since been put out. In a statement on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Iroko, confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of 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,” she said.
Security operatives on night patrol discovered the fire at the border of Kpor and Bodo communities and alerted the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), which operates the pipeline. SPDC swiftly implemented safety measures, including shutting down the affected section of the pipeline.
“As a result of swift intervention, the situation is now under control, and there is no further threat to residents or the environment,” Iringe-Iroko added.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Regional Affairs, Abubakar Momoh, stated that details of the explosion remain unclear but assured that investigations are ongoing.
“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,” he said on Channels Television’s Lunchtime Politics.
Authorities have urged residents to remain calm as they work to uncover the cause of the explosion.
