The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two persons in connection with the explosion that rocked the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC,-operated Trans Niger Delta Pipeline.

The incident occurred from Monday night through to Tuesday morning at the border of Kpor and Bodo communities.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of the command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said in a statement that a “thorough investigation to determine the cause” of the explosion, which resulted in an inferno, has commenced.

The PPRO confirmed that “two individuals have been taken in for questioning as part of efforts to uncover any potential act of sabotage.”

“The Command remains committed to ensuring that perpetrators of criminal activities are identified and brought to justice.

“We urge residents to remain calm and vigilant, assuring them of our unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property.

The Command will not relent in its efforts to rid the state of criminal elements and maintain peace and security for all.

“For any useful information regarding this incident or any suspicious activities, members of the public are encouraged to contact the nearest police station or call these lines,” the statement added.

An explosion has rocked the Trans-Niger Pipeline at Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The explosion occurred late Monday night near the Bodo-Bonny Road, which is currently under construction.

The affected section of the major pipeline is still on fire, though the exact cause of the explosion remains unknown.

It is unclear whether the incident resulted from human interference, especially amid recent threats by militant groups to attack oil installations.

These threats stem from the Federal Government’s withholding of Rivers State’s allocation due to the ongoing political crisis.

The TNP, a critical federal oil transport line, supplies crude oil to the Bonny export terminal in Rivers State.

The explosion has raised concerns about potential environmental damage and disruptions to oil supply in the region.

Government authorities have not yet issued any statements regarding the incident.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has approved the revocation of 4,794 land titles over non-payment of Ground Rent for more than 40 years.

In the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape, a total of 8,375 property owners have not paid Ground Rent in the last 43 years.

This was made known at a press briefing by the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media,  Lere Olayinka, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankwoeze.

“It should be noted that the FCTA made numerous publications in national newspapers and announcements on broadcast media since 2023, calling on defaulters to pay up all outstanding bills and ground rents.

All these yielded little response, as several allottees failed to pay. “It is important to state that payment of Ground Rent on landed properties in the FCT is founded on extant legislation.

It is clearly stipulated in the terms and conditions of grant of Right of Occupancy, and it is due for payment on the first day of January, each year, without demand.

“Consequently, a list of land titles in default of payment of Ground Rent has been compiled in the ten oldest districts of Phase 1 of the Federal Capital City (FCC).

They are; Central Area District (Cadastral Zone A00), Garki I  (Cadastral Zone A01), Wuse I (Cadastral Zone A02), Garki II (Cadastral Zone A03), Asokoro (Cadastral Zone A04),  Maitama (Cadastral Zone A05), Maitama (Cadastral Zone A06), Wuse II (Cadastral Zone A07),  Wuse II           (Cadastral Zone A08) and Guzape (Cadastral Zone A09).

“As of the end of 2024 and up till today, a total of N6,967,980,119 is owed as Ground Rent by 8,375 property owners. In other words, a total of 8,375 property owners have not paid Ground Rent up to last year, 2024. “A total of 4,794 land titles are in default of Ground rent payment for 10 years and above.

This means that in the listed districts, 4,794 property owners have not paid Ground Rent in the last 10 years.

“This is in contravention of the terms and conditions of the grant of the Rights of Occupancy, in line with the provisions of Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act. “Consequently, the titles of the properties in default of payment of Ground Rent for 10 years and above have been revoked forthwith.

“A grace of 21 Days is also given to title holders that are in default of payment of Ground Rent for between one and ten years, after which the affected titles will be revoked.”