Disaster! Over 30 Persons Killed By Explosion From Illegal Refinery
Over thirty persons have reportedly died in Ibaa community, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, following a fire explosion from an illegal oil refining site.
The fire, according to a source from the community, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, emanated from a local refining cooking pot, which was connected to a pit where several persons were scooping crude oil extracted from a pipeline.
It was gathered that some of the victims burnt beyond recognition, while others died before they were rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Basil Igwebueze, confirmed the tragedy.
Igwebueze who condemned the incident gave the death toll of 18, but a community source said it was 33.
The commandant said a pregnant woman, the son of the illegal refinery operator and an about-to-wed lady were among those burnt to ashes.
He said while the owner of the refinery, John Bodo, sustained severe injury, his son, Uche, who graduated recently from a tertiary institution, died on the spot.
“In collaborations with sister security agencies we have identified through sustained intelligence certain areas where local refineries were constructed and such illegal sites have been taken over by our Anti Vandal Squad to prevent further operations by perpetrators; it is however disheartening that the more we dismantle these illegal refineries the more people engaged in such unscrupulous activities.
“Recall that the Command Antivandal Squad recently took over and dismantle a local refinery under construction at Umuechem in Etche Local Government. Thus, the fire disaster which occured in Ibaa community is highly condemnable and uncalled for; there is need for conscious effort and stronger collaborations with the Traditional Institutions, Community Youths, Religious leaders amongst others to fight against oil bunkering activities in our various communities and this begins with giving credible Intelligence and information to the NSCDC who remains the lead agency in the fight against vandalism of oil pipelines and protection of critical national assets and Infrastructures in Rivers State”.
Commandant Basil hinted that information gathered suffice that the fire outbreak started at a very late hour hence 18 victims were burnt beyond recognition while 25 injured persons were rescued.
” From our preliminary findings it was gathered that the inferno was caused by a local refinery cooking pot constructed close to an oil reservoir which contained combustible materials, the burning temperature eventually became too high and the environment gutted fire. We also gathered that the cooking pot belong to one Mr John Bodo who sustained severe fire injuries while his son, Uche John Bodo a fresh graduate died on the spot”.
” It is also lamentable to relay that most of the victim were youths; then a pregnant woman and a young lady getting ready for her marriage ceremony next month were all casualties”.
While condoling with the affected families; the NSCDC Rivers State Commandant issued stern warning against those operating local refineries in some communities across the State. He said that the negative impact such activities portend is tantamount to irreparable loss. Therefore, critical stakeholders must align and vehemently fight against Illegal Oil bunkering activities in Rivers State.
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