20 Killed in Explosion from Tampered Fuel Pipeline in Rivers

At least 20 individuals lost their lives due to an explosion stemming from an illicit oil tapping operation in Omoku, within the Ogba/Egebema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The calamity happened on a Sunday morning when local youths reportedly breached a pipeline owned by a multinational oil company in the region. Following the breach, individuals began using containers such as jerry cans and buckets to extract fuel, leading to the fatal explosion.

Eyewitnesses revealed that while the confirmed death toll stands at 20, numerous others sustained severe burns and are currently undergoing treatment in various hospitals in the area.

A witness expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “It is a very terrible incident. Imagine the death of 20 people in such a time. We learned some youths bust a company pipeline.”

Reports indicate that the inferno resulted from suspected oil thieves attempting to ignite mosquito coils near the compromised pipeline. The leak originated from an outdated pipeline linked to one of the oil companies operating in the region, according to an anonymous source.

Emeka Ukwuosah, the chairman of the Niger Delta Youth Movement in the ONELGA chapter, urged local youths to engage in constructive activities and refrain from involvement in oil bunkering. He also called on security agencies to intensify efforts to monitor and prevent such activities.

The Assistant Secretary of the Onelga Security Peace Advisory Council, Emeka Agbabere, attributed the incident to illegal oil bunkering. Despite campaigns to dissuade youths from engaging in these activities, the tragic outcome underscores the persistent challenges faced in curbing illegal bunkering.

Agbabere lamented, “When they busted the pipeline, fire engulfed immediately and 19 of them died instantly and about 12 in two different hospitals.”

As the community grapples with the aftermath, there are calls for multinational oil companies to upgrade their aging facilities to prevent future incidents. Meanwhile, the state police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, is yet to provide official information on the incident, leaving the community in anticipation of further details.