The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has confirmed an explosion on the Escravos Lagos Pipeline System, raising fresh concerns over pipeline safety and the risk posed to communities in the Niger Delta. The incident occurred at about 5:50pm on December ten, 2025, near the Tebijor, Okpele and Ikpopo communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Limited, Andy Odeh, said preliminary checks revealed a pressure drop on the affected line, consistent with a loss of containment on the pipeline operated by the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company. He stated that the actual cause of the explosion had not yet been determined.
Odeh said a detailed investigation would be carried out to establish the source of the incident. He added that the company’s immediate focus was the safety of residents around the affected corridor and the protection of the environment from further damage. Emergency response procedures, he said, had already been activated.
He noted that NNPC was working with government agencies and community leaders to coordinate containment efforts and ensure a structured approach to managing the situation.
The statement read, “The cause of the explosion is still unknown but will be confirmed after a detailed investigation. Our priority is the safety of nearby communities and the protection of the environment.”
The Escravos Lagos Pipeline System supplies natural gas to major power plants in the South West and also feeds the West Africa Gas Pipeline, making it one of Nigeria’s most critical energy assets. NNPC said more updates would be provided as verified information emerges.
