A fire outbreak at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) has raised concerns barely 24 hours after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State. A viral video circulating on social media shows flames at the facility, fueling speculation about the safety of critical infrastructure in the region.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has since confirmed the incident, describing it as a minor occurrence that was quickly brought under control. According to NNPCL’s spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, operations at the refinery remain unaffected, and there was no explosion as rumored.
The timing of the incident, coming just a day after the federal government took over the administration of Rivers State due to security concerns and political instability, has led to widespread reactions. The emergency rule, which saw the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and state lawmakers, was triggered by escalating tensions, including recent pipeline vandalism.
While authorities insist there is no cause for alarm, the fire incident has heightened public anxiety over the security of key national assets in Rivers State.
