Two separate explosions leave dozens injured, destroy more than 50 houses and shops, and trigger fresh concerns over alleged pipeline leaks and the deadly practice of scooping fuel from fallen tankers.

Two separate explosions in Edo and Rivers states have left at least 31 people injured, with five others feared dead, while destroying homes, shops, vehicles and other properties worth millions of naira.

The incidents occurred in Oluku, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, and Aleto community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, leaving residents, traders and business owners counting their losses.

The Edo incident involved a fuel tanker explosion that reportedly left 11 people, including a pregnant woman, with varying degrees of burns. In Rivers, a gas pipeline explosion injured at least 20 people and damaged more than 50 houses, according to community accounts.

While the injured victims in Edo were taken to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital for treatment, several victims of the Rivers explosion were also rushed to hospitals.

As of Thursday evening, the reported death toll in Edo remained unconfirmed by emergency authorities.

Alleged gas leak preceded Rivers explosion

In Rivers State, the explosion occurred at about 5pm on Thursday along Old Bori Road in Aleto community, Eleme, reportedly following a leak from a pipeline belonging to the Nigeria Gas Company.

VIDEO: https://youtube.com/shorts/8H1C8HQJx7s?si=K---adWZ7iE7PDSM

The blast caused extensive damage to surrounding buildings and businesses, affecting residential properties, market stalls, a mechanic workshop and vehicles parked within the area.

Residents alleged that the pipeline had been leaking for weeks before the explosion, raising questions about whether the incident could have been prevented.

A resident identified as Stanley claimed the leak had persisted for about three weeks before the blast.

According to him, the situation had already caused injuries and property damage, while community leaders had reportedly notified the company about the danger.

He alleged that no adequate action was taken to address the leak before the explosion occurred.

The claims have heightened concerns among residents about the handling of reported gas leaks and the risks posed to people living and conducting business close to pipeline infrastructure.

Eleme council leader alleges warnings were ignored

The Leader of the Eleme Legislative Council, Daniel Chuma, also alleged that the community had previously raised concerns about pipeline leaks and petitioned relevant authorities for urgent intervention.

Chuma said he had written to the Nigeria Gas Company and submitted a petition to the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, with the police copied.

He said the community had requested a joint investigation into the reported leak but was left without clarity about the action taken.

Chuma expressed dismay that the same pipeline operator was now linked to an explosion that allegedly destroyed more than 50 houses and vehicles and left several people injured.

He further alleged that no representative of the company had visited the scene as of the time he spoke.

Following the incident, community members cordoned off the affected area with barrier tape and urged residents to keep their distance to prevent further casualties.

The allegations surrounding the earlier leak have yet to be independently established, and the circumstances leading to the explosion remain subject to investigation.

Environmental group calls for investigation

The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) called on relevant authorities to intervene urgently and provide assistance to affected residents.

Its Executive Director, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene, said the fire was still burning when the organisation issued its statement, adding that nearby buildings had also been affected.

He said some residents had reportedly been hospitalised, although the organisation had not independently confirmed any fatalities.

According to Dumnamene, volunteers who visited the scene confirmed the presence of personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

YEAC-Nigeria urged NOSDRA to identify the operator responsible for the affected facility and conduct a Joint Investigation Visit to determine the cause of the explosion.

The group also called for the relevant provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, to be invoked where applicable.

The investigation is expected to help establish the cause of the blast, assess the extent of the damage and determine whether any safety failures or regulatory breaches occurred.

Pregnant woman among victims of Edo tanker explosion

In Edo State, a separate explosion involving a fuel tanker in Oluku, Ovia North-East Local Government Area, left 11 people with varying degrees of burns, including a pregnant woman.

The injured victims were taken to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, where they were receiving medical attention as of Thursday.

The Federal Road Safety Corps State Commander, Preye Ezekiel Bedford, said he could confirm 11 casualties but had not received verified information about any deaths.

He explained that emergency responders and security personnel, including the police, military, FRSC and federal and state fire services, were still at the scene working to extinguish the remaining flames and manage the aftermath.

Bedford said reports of fatalities could only be clarified as rescue workers cleared debris and completed evacuation operations.

He also condemned the dangerous practice of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, warning that people who approach such scenes to collect fuel expose themselves and others to potentially fatal fires and explosions.

The FRSC commander alleged that some individuals ignored warnings from security personnel and attacked officers attempting to move people away from the danger zone.

He said the corps would intensify public awareness campaigns through town hall meetings, churches and other community platforms to discourage fuel scooping.

Traders count losses as families pray for victims

Beyond the injuries, the explosions have dealt a devastating blow to traders and small business owners whose livelihoods depended on the affected shops and workspaces.

In Oluku, a market woman identified as Madam Grace said her son was among those burnt in the tanker explosion.

She said her son was not scooping fuel when the fire caught him where he was standing.

Grace expressed hope that he would recover, while lamenting the financial losses suffered by traders in the area.

She said many business owners had lost property worth millions of naira in the incident.

A worker at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, identified as Gideon, also said his daughter's shop was completely destroyed by the fire.

He explained that she escaped injury because she had locked up the shop after noticing what was happening.

For affected families, the immediate priority remains the recovery of injured loved ones. For traders and residents who lost their homes, shops and other belongings, the road to rebuilding their lives could be long.

Renewed concerns over public safety

The two incidents have renewed concerns about safety around gas pipelines and fuel tanker accidents, particularly in communities where homes, workshops and markets are located close to hazardous infrastructure.

In Rivers, residents are demanding answers over allegations that a dangerous pipeline leak was reported before the explosion. In Edo, authorities have again warned against approaching fallen tankers to scoop fuel, a practice that can turn an accident into a mass-casualty disaster.

As emergency teams continue to assess the damage and treat victims, investigations into the circumstances surrounding both explosions will be crucial in establishing accountability and preventing similar tragedies.

For the affected communities, the immediate concern is clear: the injured need urgent care, displaced residents need support, and families and business owners need assistance to recover from the devastation.