Pipeline explosion hits Bayelsa amid Rivers state emergency declaration

A new pipeline explosion has been reported in Gbarain Kingdom, Bayelsa State, coinciding with President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide address where he declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.

The explosion, which occurred late Tuesday, has raised fresh concerns over pipeline safety and oil facility attacks in the Niger Delta. The cause of the blast remains unclear, and authorities are yet to confirm the extent of the damage.

Meanwhile, President Tinubu’s announcement led to the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly due to the ongoing political crisis in the state.

When contacted for a response, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, declined to comment on the suspension.

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“The president has made a declaration, and what do you think we can say? I think it is too hasty to make any comment about it,” Johnson said.

As part of the emergency measures, Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) as the Administrator to take charge of the state’s affairs.

The crisis in Rivers intensified due to the power struggle between Governor Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over control of the state’s political structure.

This latest explosion is the third reported incident following the House of Assembly’s impeachment move against Governor Fubara.

Just hours before, another major pipeline explosion hit Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) in Rivers State, following an earlier blast in Bodo, Gokana LGA.

Pipeline explosion hits Bayelsa amid Rivers state emergency declaration

(PoliticsNigeria)

35-year-old man arrested for sexually assaulting five-year-old

The Adamawa State Police command has apprehended a 35-year-old man identified as Abdullaziz Mohammed, for allegedly d#filing a 5-year-old minor,  in Mubi North Local Government Area.

In a press statement issued, the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Sulieman Yahaya Nguroje, said the suspect was arrested following a complaint lodged by the victim’s father, at the Mubi North Divisional Police Headquarters. According to Nguroje, the victim’s father stated that on the 27th March 2025, the suspect lured his daughter into his grinding engine shop located at Kasuwan Borkono, Mubi North, and had unlawful carnal knowledge of her, knowing fully well that she is a minor.

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Nguroje noted that upon receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police CP Dankombo Morris, Psc (+), deployed police operatives attached to the Mubi Division for immediate action, where the suspect was arrested. The victim was immediately rushed to the medical facility in Mubi for medical examination and treatment.

Nguroje mentioned that during interrogation the suspect confessed to committing the crime and is taking into custody for more findings.

The commissioner of Police CP Morris Dankombo strongly condemned the act and as he directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yola, for a thorough and diligent investigation to ensure justice is served.

35-year-old man arrested for sexually assaulting five-year-old

State of Emergency: Soldiers take over Rivers Government House

Hours after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, soldiers have taken over the state Government House.

An Armoured Personnel Carrier has also been stationed at the entrance of the Government House along Azikiwe Road in Port Harcourt.

It is not clear if Governor Siminalayi Fubara was still in his official residence when the troops took over the premises around 9 pm.

Tension enveloped Rivers State on Tuesday evening, following President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency to end the lingering political battle involving the state governor, Siminalayo Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

The declaration prompted residents and motorists in Port Harcourt, the state capital, to rush home to their families because they feared a possible breakdown of law and order.

In his nationwide broadcast, President Tinubu justified the declaration, citing the unresolved crisis in the state, which he said has defied political solutions.

He said, “By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for six months.

“In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.”

READ ALSO:

• Corper who criticised Tinubu govt under pressure to apologise, says Sowore
• Rivers Assembly lists 17 impeachable offences against Fubara
• Breaking: Trans-Niger Pipeline in Rivers explodes in fire after militants threat

Meanwhile, the suspended governor, Fubara, has called on state residents to be calm, saying he’ll “engage with all relevant institutions to ensure that our democracy remains strong.”