An explosion in Aleto community, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, has injured 20 people and destroyed more than 50 houses.
The incident occurred on Thursday evening following a rupture in a pipeline belonging to the Nigeria Gas Company along Old Bori Road in Aleto.
Several victims were reportedly rushed to hospitals for treatment, while market stalls and a mechanic workshop containing parked vehicles were also affected by the explosion.
The Leader of the Eleme Legislative Council, Daniel Chuma, who visited the scene, said he had previously written to the company about the pipeline leak and petitioned relevant authorities, but no concrete action was taken to address the problem.
“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 at the same Nigeria Gas Company pipeline that has destroyed over 50 houses and cars, with many casualties. People have been rushed to the hospital,” Chuma said.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of YEAC Nigeria, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene, has called on relevant authorities to intervene and provide assistance to residents affected by the explosion.
