By Jesse Ese

National News – Residents of Odual Kingdom in Rivers State have raised alarm over repeated pipeline blowouts along facilities belonging to the Nigerian AGIP Oil Company, warning that the incidents have caused severe environmental pollution and exposed communities to health and safety risks.

According to local sources, the pipeline reportedly suffered two blowouts within a three-day interval, releasing thick soot and pollutants that have spread across parts of the kingdom, causing widespread concern among residents.

The incidents reportedly happened between Monday and Wednesday this week.

Community members said the resulting soot has contaminated the environment, affecting air quality and raising fears over the long-term impact on public health, farmlands, and aquatic resources.

The residents also expressed concern over what they described as inadequate security around critical oil infrastructure in the area.

They noted that several major oil and gas pipelines belonging to companies including AGIP and Shell crisscross Odual Kingdom, making the community particularly vulnerable to pipeline-related incidents.

They alleged that no security personnel, including those assigned to pipeline surveillance operations, were stationed in the affected areas at the time of the incidents.

Calling for urgent intervention, the community appealed to the Federal Government, regulatory agencies, and oil companies operating in the region to investigate the cause of the blowouts, strengthen pipeline protection measures, and address the environmental consequences of the incidents.

The residents urged authorities to act swiftly to prevent further damage and ensure the safety of lives and property in the oil-producing community.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from AGIP or relevant government agencies regarding the reported pipeline blowouts.