Residents of Owaza in Ukwa West LGA, Abia State, were thrown into distress on Monday, June 22, 2026, after a high-pressure oil pipeline explosion rocked Umuololo village, causing extensive destruction.
The affected pipeline, which transports crude oil from the Imo River flow station to Port Harcourt and Bonny, reportedly failed due to its deteriorating condition. The blast damaged homes, farmlands, plantain plantations, crops, and a local school.
One of the worst-hit residents, Chief David Ogbonna (popularly known as Chiwowo), lost his residence and large portions of farmland to the incident.
Community spokesperson, Chief Anselem Eletuo, attributed the incident to the poor state of the pipeline and called on the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and relevant authorities to carry out urgent repairs and provide relief to affected residents. He noted that many families have been displaced and are now facing food shortages due to the destruction of their farmlands.
He also appealed for calm among the youths, assuring them that the government and relevant agencies would intervene with relief materials and recovery measures.
