A pipeline explosion has killed more than 15 people at an illegal oil refining location in Rivers State. 18 people are said to have been roasted by the flame, and 25 more were rescued by operatives.
The tragedy happened late on Sunday night while some locals were scooping petroleum products.
According to reports, a local man identified only as Emmanuel claimed that the victims were selling the goods at the refinery when it suddenly caught fire.
According to information obtained, agents of the 26 Support Engineer Regiment (SER-Nigerian Army Engineers) launched a massive and intensive crackdown and destruction of illegal refineries along the right of way and its corridor about two weeks ago in coordination with a surveillance company, Pipeline Infrastructures Nigeria Limited (PINL).
As PINL and GSA maintained their presence around the clock, particularly at night, the sources claimed that the accident may have been caused by apprehension about a crackdown or an arrest. The security firm has been demolishing illegal refineries in the area for the past six months, according to a PINL representative who spoke with journalists at the scene of the event.
He also mentioned that the fire must have been caused by a fear of being apprehended by security agents as the petroleum was being hurriedly carried from the site.
Another report suggested a different cause of the explosion, as NSCDC spokesperson for Rivers State Command, Olufemi Ayodele, stated that preliminary investigations showed that the explosion was caused by a local cooking pot constructed close to an oil reservoir that contained combustible materials. He added that the burning temperature eventually became too high, thus the explosion.
Ayodele also urged the community to make a conscious effort in the fight against oil bunkering activities by giving adequate information to the NSCDC, which remains the lead agency in the fight against oil pipeline vandalism.