A powerful explosion struck the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) in Rivers State on Monday night, igniting a fire that has raised alarm across Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta. The blast, reported in the Bodo community of Gokana Local Government Area, sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky and flames racing through the surrounding mangrove forests. As of Tuesday, March 18, 2025, the affected section remains ablaze, amplifying fears of environmental devastation and economic disruption in the region.
The Nigerian oil consortium Renaissance Group, which operates the pipeline, confirmed the incident on Tuesday and has mobilized a joint investigation team to the site. Spokesperson Tony Okonedo acknowledged the blast but withheld specifics, stating that the team comprising experts and regulators will determine the cause and extent of the damage.
Renaissance, a powerhouse in Nigeria’s energy sector, includes local firms Aradel Energy, First E & P, Waltersmith, and ND Western, alongside international player Petroline. The consortium took over Shell’s former onshore subsidiary, positioning it as a key player in the country’s oil industry.
Trans Niger Pipeline: Nigeria’s Vital Oil Lifeline
The Trans Niger Pipeline, with a capacity of 450,000 barrels per day, is a cornerstone of Nigeria’s oil infrastructure. Stretching across the Niger Delta, it transports crude from onshore oilfields to the Bonny Export Terminal, a critical hub for the nation’s oil exports.
Monday’s explosion marks the latest in a series of incidents plaguing this vital artery, with past disruptions often linked to sabotage, vandalism, or equipment failure.
The TNP’s strategic importance underscores the urgency of containing the current crisis, as any prolonged outage could ripple through Nigeria’s economy, Africa’s largest oil producer.
Local Reports and Rising Tensions
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), a local environmental watchdog, pinpointed the explosion’s timing to Tuesday morning at 2 am. Eyewitnesses described a deafening blast followed by intense heat and flames, with videos circulating online showing the fire’s rapid spread.
The incident coincides with heightened political tensions in Rivers State, between Rivers State governor, Fubara, FCT minister, Wike, and the Rivers state assembly, which led to the federal government’s decision to withhold the state’s monthly allocations amid an ongoing political dispute. This fueled the speculation of sabotage as a potential cause of the blast though.
Arise news correspondent interviewed one of the leaders of YEAC-Nigeria on the scene and he confirmed that where the pipeline was located was dugged, indicating a third-party interference rather than equipment failure, but yet no official confirmation has emerged.
Investigation Underway
As the investigation unfolds, authorities and Renaissance Group have sent their team to determine the cause of the blast. But the stakes are high, environmentalists warn of severe ecological damage to the Bodo community’s mangrove ecosystems, already scarred by decades of oil spills.
Economically, a prolonged disruption to the TNP could slash Nigeria’s oil output, threatening revenue at a time when the nation is already facing declines in its oil output dropping to 74,000 bpd in February alone, straining the nation’s fiscal revenue.
