KEY POINTS
- At least 20 people were reportedly injured in a gas pipeline explosion in Aleto, Rivers State.
- Residents alleged that the pipeline had been leaking for about three weeks before the explosion.
- Authorities and environmental groups have called for an investigation into the incident and urgent safety measures.
At least 20 people have reportedly been injured after a gas pipeline exploded in Aleto community, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, damaging houses, vehicles and business premises.
The explosion occurred at about 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2026, along Old Bori Road. The affected pipeline was reportedly linked to the Nigeria Gas Company.
Several victims were rushed to hospitals for treatment following the incident, which also affected roadside stalls, a mechanic workshop and vehicles parked within the premises. Some nearby houses were also reportedly damaged by the fire.
The explosion caused concern among residents, particularly those who live and operate businesses close to the pipeline, as details of the extent of the damage and the condition of the injured remained unclear.
Residents Allege Pipeline Had Leaked for Three Weeks
An eyewitness told Channels Television that the pipeline had been leaking for approximately three weeks before the explosion.
The witness alleged that community leaders had alerted the relevant authorities and raised concerns about the potential danger but that adequate preventive measures were not taken before the incident occurred.
According to the eyewitness, many of those affected were passers-by and people conducting business in the area when the explosion happened.
The allegations have raised questions about the response to the reported leak and whether timely intervention could have prevented the incident.
However, the circumstances surrounding the explosion, including the cause of the rupture and the actions taken after the initial warnings, had yet to be independently established.
The Leader of the Eleme Legislative Council, Daniel Chuma, confirmed the incident after visiting the affected area.
Chuma said the council had previously written to the Nigeria Gas Company concerning a reported leak on another section of its pipeline. He added that the council had petitioned the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, with the police copied into the correspondence.
