A massive explosion has devastated two Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) flow stations near the Cawthorne Channel, off the coast of Bonny in Rivers State, destroying essential facilities and raising fears of casualties.
The twin blasts, which occurred on Wednesday evening, sent plumes of fire and smoke billowing into the sky, leaving nearby communities in panic.
Located approximately 30 nautical miles from Bonny’s coastline, the affected flow stations are crucial components of the country’s oil and gas operations.
Videos circulating on social media depict raging flames engulfing the facilities, while locals watched the destruction from speedboats.
Witnesses reported that the fire ignited around 3 PM, following what is believed to have been a welding operation gone awry.
A social media user, identified as Jahmal, shared footage of the burning stations, urging urgent intervention from the federal government.
“Two NNPC flow stations close to Cawthorne Channel 1, near the border between Bonny and Degema, have been consumed by fire. The blaze erupted on Wednesday at 3 PM, according to witnesses. This is an urgent call to action for the federal government to safeguard the environment and aquatic life,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The Cawthorne Channel, a vital hub for oil and gas operations, marks the boundary between Bonny and Degema Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
The extent of damage to oil production and the potential environmental impact remain uncertain.
Community sources revealed that NNPC officials have been informed and have since visited the site; however, the company has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the explosion, stating that investigations are underway.
“Yes, we are aware of it. The details are quite sketchy for now, but we have dispatched our officers to the site for investigation,” the command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, said to newsmen.
Authorities have yet to confirm whether there were any casualties or significant oil spills resulting from the incident.
This explosion has once again underscored concerns over safety lapses in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, where such accidents have occurred frequently.
