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Pipeline Explosion: Death Toll Rises To 10 …MEND Claims Responsbility
L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr Taye Haruna, Minister of Environment, Mrs Laurentia Mallam and Retired Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, during the inaugural meeting with officials of T.Y. Holdings Limited and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation on private sector participation in the management of National Parks in Nigeria in Abuja, recently. Photo: Nan
The death toll in the Petrol explosion that occurred Sunday at a Creek near a jetty of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Okrika, Rivers State is said to have risen to ten as three were said to be recovered at the scene on Monday.
An eye witness told The Tide that the three corpses which were burnt beyond recognition were carried by some persons to an unknown destination, apparently for burial.
When The Tide visited the area Monday, some persons in the area relieved their experiences during the ugly incident.
Aminu Abdullahi, said the explosion jotted the residents and because of the numerous pipes conveying fragile petrol, there was fear that the entire area might be engulfed.
Abdullahi who is a motor cyclist in the area said, “we moved away from Okrika entirely to Eleme and watched the development for hours “it was confirmed that the explosion and the attendant fire did not even get to Okrika jetty that we resumed operations”, he said.
A trader Judith Eze, who operates in Okrika said on hearing the explosion, the first thing that came to her mind was that the Boko Haram Sect had struck.
“You remember, the sect threatened that it would bomb refineries and Abuja. So when I hear that there was explosion at the Port Harcourt refinery, I said , Oh! They have come”, he said.
Miss Eze who operates a restaurant near the refinery said she quickly closed her shop and started packing some of her important items and lifted to Eleme, where, after some hours, it was confirmed that Boko Haram were not the mastermind.
It would be recalled that explosion occurred Sunday at a Creek near the jetty of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Okrika, killing about seven persons and injuring unconfirmed persons who are now receiving treatment in undisclosed clinics.
However, the Movement for the emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has claimed responsibility for the incident.
MEND said in an online statement signed by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo that the attack was in view of President Goodluck Jonathan’s inaction on issues bordering on Niger Delta development.
The militant group said its men in collaborations with some NNPC staff carried out the attack and that such attack on the oil industry would continue until justice is done to the Niger Delta course by the Federal Government.
“The facility was infiltrated by a few of our fighters with the aid of our internal agents within the NNPC contrary to speculation that the sabotage was carried out by pipeline vandals and oil thieves”,, the statement explained.
It said that investigation would reveal that the bomb fragments are the same as the one used in the Warri Refinery explosion of Tuesday 22nd October 2013.
“We will persist with our attack in the Nigerian oil industry, due to the inactions of President Goodluck Jonathan who continues to rally on an unsustainable and fraudulent Niger Delta Amnesty Programme”, said MEND.
Meanwhile, NNPC has denied that any explosion occurred at its jetty at Okrika.
The Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division of the Corporation, Dr. Ohi Alegbe said Fridays from the Corporation’s prelimary investigation revealed that the fire was as a result of the activities of oil thieves who broke pipelines in the Creek near the jetty.
It said non of the corporation’s officers were enjoined or dead and condoled families those who lost their lives as a result of the activities of the oil thieves.
It urged the community leaders in the area to prevail on their children and wards to refrain from sabotaging the government.
Chris Oluoh
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.