There was panic and anxiety yesterday, following an explosion in an oil facility allegedly operated by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) in Evekwu community, Rumuji Town, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
There were confusing reports on what caused the explosion.
Some sources claimed it was as a result of equipment failure; others said it was an accident.
A source said it was not an attack by militants but an explosion from the gas pipeline.
No operator has visited the facility.
A resident, Ndudirim Amadi, told our correspondent the incident occurred about 2pm and was caused by pressure in the pipeline.
Amadi said the facility was a high pressure pipeline between Rumuji and Evekwu communities operated by NLNG and marked “Keep Off”.
Amadi said: “I don’t know what caused it. But I think the pressure was much on the pipeline that was why it exploded.
“It has caused fear in our community. The force with which the crude is coming out of the pipe shows that it was an act of pressure.”
Another source alleged that a company he identified as Integrated Data Services Limited, a subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), was operating around the facility before the incident occurred.
The source alleged that the IDSL which uses explosives, such as dynamite and grenades, in its operations was at work around the area when the incident occurred.
It said explosives detonated by IDSL caused the accident and that crude flowed uncontrollably.
The police said they were not aware of the incident.