Many Feared Dead As Pipeline Explodes In Rivers

• Many people have been feared dead as pipeline exploded in Rivers State.

 

EKOHOTBLOG reports that scores of persons were reportedly killed after a petrol pipeline exploded in Rivers State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred at Rumuekpe community in the Emohua Local Government Area of the state.

 

Community sources disclosed that the incident which occurred on Thursday, was as a result of oil bunkering activities.

One of the sources revealed that the youths of the community were fond of siphoning petroleum products from many pipelines located on the stretch of the adjourning villages within the community.

Speaking to newsmen, a resident of the community, Mr Chikwem Godwin, disclosed that the area was notorious for oil bunkering.

He added that the incident occurred when those involved in the criminal activities attempted to cut one of the petroleum pipelines.

 

The resident further stated that more than 20 persons may have died in the incident, given the number of persons that gathered at the scene on a daily basis.

He said, “I can confirm to you that more than 20 persons died in that very incident.

“That particular place where this incident occurred is very notorious for bunkering activities. Youths from various communities gather there to carry out criminal activities of cutting oil pipes.

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The place is the centre of oil bunkering activities. There are so many oil , petrol and gas pipeline that crisscross the community. The pipelines are owned by some multi national oil companies.

“NLNG also have their gas pipeline crisscross along the stretch of the community. Those involved in this criminal activities may have ruptured petrol pipeline which ignited fire and burnt to death so many persons. This incident may have affected many families from all the neighboring communities as many youths involved in this nefarious activities comes from different community,” Godwin said.

Another resident of Rumuekpe who simply gave his name as Amadi said he saw five corpses burnt beyond recognition.

As gathered by EKOHOTBLOG, the incident was confirmed by the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nnmadi Omoni, on Friday.

He, however, said he had yet to ascertain the number of deaths, noting that a detachment from the State Police Command had been deployed in the area to ensure there is no breakdown of law and order.

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