A fatal pipeline explosion has killed not less than 20 people and injure many in Rivers State.
Sources in the community revealed that the incident occurred on Thursday due to oil bunkering as youths of the community were scooping petroleum products from several pipelines.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: IPOB Attacked 164 Police Stations, Killed 175 Security Operatives, Says Malami
According to a resident simply referred to as Mike, the area was prone to oil bunkering activities, disclosing that the pipeline exploded when the bunkerers attempted to cut off one of the pipeline heads. He said, “I can confirm to you that more than 20 persons died in that very incident. The particular place where this incident occurred is very notorious for bunkering activities. Youths from various communities gathered there to carry out criminal activities of cutting oil pipes.
“The place is the centre of oil bunkering activities. There are so many petrol and gas pipelines that crisscross the community. Some multinational oil companies own the pipelines.
“NLNG also has their gas pipeline along the stretch of the community. Those involved in this criminal activity may have ruptured a petrol pipeline, which ignited fire and burnt to death so many persons. This incident may have affected many families from the neighbouring communities as many youths involved in this nefarious activity comes from different communities.””
Another resident of Rumuekpe, who simply gave his name as Amadi, said that he saw five corpses burnt beyond recognition.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Atiku, Tambuwal Plan To Contest In 2023 Presidential Election – Makinde
Rivers State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the incident saying he was yet to ascertain the number of deaths. He added that, a detachment from the State Police Command had been deployed to the area to ensure there was no breakdown of law and order.
