IN SHORT: Nigeria’s oil-rich Rivers state has been at the centre of a political crisis since 2023. The conflict has led to the destruction of the state house of assembly and the vandalisation of oil pipelines. However, claims that the state's Port Harcourt refinery caught fire are false.
Rivers state, in Nigeria’s oil-rich south-south region, is at the centre of a deepening political crisis.
The power struggle that started in 2023 between governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike has escalated, drawing in lawmakers, security agencies and the presidency. Wike is now minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Over the years, this conflict led to the destruction of the state house of assembly and the vandalisation of oil pipelines.
On 18 March 2025, president Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state and, in an unprecedented move, suspended the governor, his deputy and state legislators.
Against this backdrop of political instability, several Facebook posts claim that an explosion occurred at the Port Harcourt refinery, one of Nigeria’s key oil facilities.
The refinery is located in Port Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers state.
One of the Facebook posts reads: “BREAKING: Fire Guts Port Harcourt Refinery.*Where is Nigeria Governors' Forum( NGF) they should act now Injustice to One Injustice to All.”
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum unites the country’s 36 state governors to promote unity, collaboration and collective action among its subnational leaders.
The same claim appeared on Facebook here, here and here. (Note: See other instances of the claim at the end of this report.)
But did a fire break out at the refinery? We checked.
NNPC says refinery incident a minor flare
According to media reports, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) spokesperson Olufemi Soneye said there was no explosion at the refinery.
“What occurred was a routine flare incident, which has since been fully contained. There is no risk to staff, surrounding communities, or the environment,” he was quoted as saying.
The agency asked the public to ignore claims of an explosion at the refinery with assurance that the facility was fully operational.
The false claim also appeared here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.
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