At least 31 people have sustained injuries in separate explosions in Edo and Rivers states, with five people feared dead in Edo, while homes, shops and other properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.

In Rivers State, a gas pipeline explosion occurred in Aleto community, Eleme Local Government Area, on Thursday evening, reportedly injuring at least 20 people and damaging about 50 houses.

The incident happened around 5 p.m. along Old Bori Road following an alleged leak from a pipeline belonging to the Nigeria Gas Company.

Several victims were taken to hospitals for treatment, while stalls, a mechanic workshop and vehicles were also reportedly affected.

A resident, identified as Stanley, alleged that the pipeline had been leaking for about three weeks before the explosion. He said community leaders had notified the company but claimed that adequate measures were not taken to address the problem.

Daniel Chuma, Leader of the Eleme Legislative Council, said he had written to the company and petitioned the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, with the police copied, seeking urgent intervention.

He said the explosion had destroyed houses and vehicles and left several people injured. Chuma also alleged that no representative of the company had visited the scene at the time of his statement.

Community members subsequently cordoned off the affected area and advised residents to keep away to prevent further incidents.

The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre called on relevant authorities to intervene and assist affected residents. Its Executive Director, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene, said the fire was still burning when the organisation issued its statement.

The centre said its volunteers confirmed the presence of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel at the scene, but it had not independently confirmed any deaths.

It urged NOSDRA to identify the facility operator and conduct a joint investigation into the incident, including the possible application of relevant provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.

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

The injured victims were taken to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital for treatment.

Preye Ezekiel Bedford, Edo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, said he could not confirm reports of fatalities as emergency responders were still managing the aftermath of the explosion.

He said police, military personnel, road safety officers and federal and state fire service teams were at the scene working to extinguish the remaining fire and manage the situation.

Bedford condemned the practice of scooping petrol from fallen tankers, describing it as dangerous. He also alleged that some people ignored warnings from security personnel and attacked officers attempting to move them away from the danger zone.

He said the FRSC would intensify public awareness campaigns through community meetings, churches and other platforms to discourage people from collecting fuel from fallen tankers.

A trader identified as Madam Grace said her son was among those burnt in the Edo incident, although she maintained that he was not scooping fuel when the fire reached his location. She added that traders had suffered substantial financial losses.

A worker at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital also said his daughter’s shop was completely destroyed, although she escaped injury after closing it when she noticed the unfolding incident.

Authorities had yet to confirm the reported deaths in Edo as emergency operations and assessments continued.