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Claim: Different Facebook users shared a video showing an inferno at the refinery in Port Harcourt.
Verdict: FALSE. Eyewitnesses have debunked the claim, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) also released a statement clarifying the situation. Further analysis revealed that the viral video was from a 2022 incident.
Full Text
The political instability in Rivers State in recent weeks has increased insecurity and violence in the oil-rich state, leading to a hike in pipeline vandalism. Due to the power struggle between the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, this instability has led to a split at the Rivers State Assembly.
The breakdown in governance, followed by subsequent economic losses and environmental damage, prompted federal intervention to restore order. Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s president, recently declared a state of emergency and controversially suspended the entire administration for six months in Rivers State. He claimed that the decision was an attempt to address the deteriorating security situation and ensure public safety in the state.
While residents are coming to grips with life under the state’s sole newly appointed administrator, Ibokette Ibas, different Facebook users shared a video on March 19, 2025. One such post by Isaac Fayose, a relative of Ayo Fayose, Ekiti state’s former governor, said the fire gutted the petroleum refinery in Rivers state.
As of March 20, 2025, the post had gained 139 reactions, 97 comments, and 75 reshares, with more than 16,000 views. The video also gained much traction here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
The claim’s virality and the tension in the state prompted DUBAWA to fact-check it.
Verification
DUBAWA discovered that different Facebook users shared evidence debunking the claim. One such video with more precise details was seen here, here, and here, showing firefighters within the refinery premises attempting to put out the inferno using pumper trucks.
Tekena Robert, a Facebook user, also shared real-time footage he took while plying the residential area around the refinery. He revealed that he took the video at 3:52 pm, a few hours after the rumour went viral. The footage showed that the claim was false and the area was peaceful.
Olufemi Soneye, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) chief communication corporation officer, also disclosed that the refinery is not on fire as claimed.
In a statement released on March 19, 2025, the official allayed residents’ fears, claiming it was a minor incident involving a gas flare.
We further used DUBAWA ChatBot, an information-verification AI-driven tool, to track possible outdated incidents and discovered a section around the refinery exploded in January 2022. As seen here and here. The visuals from the occurrence matched the viral video DUBAWA fact-checked.
Conclusion
Evidence from eyewitnesses and residents in Rivers State revealed no inferno at the refinery on March 19, 2025. Therefore, the claim is false.
