Twelve persons died following an an early morning explosion at a crude oil tapping point in Rumuekpe community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, police confirmed.
The unfortunate incident occurred at about 2 a.m. on Friday when one of the buses loaded with crude went up in flames while trying to navigate to an illegal refining point in the area.
Reacting to the incident, the Rivers State Police Command while confirming the explosion in a statement said 12 persons died.
The spokesperson of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko also said four vehicles, a tricycle and one motorcycle were burned to ashes.
‘‘Preliminary investigation by the Police Command indicates that the victims were scooping crude product when the site caught fire.
“So far, about 12 persons are believed to have been burnt to death. The identities of the victims are still unknown.
“Five vehicles, four Keke NAPEP, and one motorcycle were all burned to ashes.
“Meanwhile, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police has again admonished members of the public to stay away from illegal oil bunkering.”
Iringe-Koko advised members of the public to report any incident or development they believe has the potential to lead to crime or break down of law and order to the police for prompt action.
Also, a spokesperson for Shell Petroleum Development (SPD) Company of Nigeria Limited said a fire occurred on its Rumuekpe-Nkpoku Trunk Line in Rivers State and that it was working with authorities to put it out.
Garuba Yabuku, civil defence spokesman for Emohua, in Rivers State, the heart of Africa’s biggest oil industry, said the incident was reported around 4:30 a.m. (0330 GMT).
“The pipeline was gutted by fire,” he said at the scene, where the fire was still blazing from the pipeline next to five burned out vehicles flanked by a palm forest.
“Many people got burnt inside the fire, males and females,” community leader Ogbonna Francis, a farmer, told Reuters at the scene.
SPD said an investigation by a government-led joint team would commence to find the cause of the incident.
Also, an environmentalist and executive director, Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, Fyneface Dumnamene Fynefacw confirmed the incident in a statement sent to our correspondent.
Dumnamene said the explosion occured at the Trans Niger Pipeline, TNP, operated by the Shell Petroleum Development Commission.
“Report reaching the YEAC-Nigeria) through its Crude Oil Spill Alert System and members of its One Million Youth Volunteers Network of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters in the Niger Delta” in Rumuekpe Community, Emuoha has it that explosion at a crude oil tapping point has left many people dead.
“The Explosion happened at about 2AM today, Friday, March 3, 2023 when one of the buses that has loaded with crude oil to drive to another area where the refining will take place in an artisanal refineries kick his vehicle leading to the explosion.
“The explosion and fire which has left dozens including women dead and burnt beyond recognition with many other vehicles and tricycles burnt to ashes at the tapping point said to be on the Trans Niger Delta Pipeline that passed through the community”, he said.
Fyneface added that “All those who were at the exact tapping point in the “pit” got killed while some of those who had loaded the crude and waiting to load including women have been killed by the explosion.”
Oil theft and pipeline sabotage are common in the southern oil production heartland of Nigeria. The methods used to steal oil often result in accidents that cause fires.
In April last year, a similar disaster killed 100 people.
