Rivers: 40 feared dead in illegal oil refining explosion in IBAA Community
About 40 persons are feared dead following an explosion in an illegal oil refining site in IBAA Community, Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State.
It was gathered that the incident occurred late Sunday night when some people in the community numbering over 40 were scooping petroleum product.
A close source in the community, identified a Emmanuel, said the victims were selling the product at the refining site when the place suddenly went up in flames.
He further said people from neighbouring Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, Ibaa and Oduoha in Emohua LGA, were affected.
Emmanuel stated, “More than 40 people were there at the site. They were there scooping and bagging crude oil when the place caught fire.
“The fire came from a refining site that is close to the point where they were bagging the crude.
“Many Isiokpo, Oduoha and Ibaa people were there. Seven of the people died inside the pit where they were scooping the crude. About 10 burnt to charcoal by the pit.”
Continuing, he said, “About 30 people died at the site while over 15 have been rushed to the hospital. I hear that three of them have died while they were being rushed to the hospital.”
Confirming the incident, Chairman of Emuoha Local Government Area, Dr Chidi Lloyd, said it is unfortunate that some youths were still engaging in the illicit trade despite repeated warnings and public advocacy to educate them on the inherent dangers.
Lloyd called on traditional rulers in the area to speak up about criminal activities within their domains.
He stated, “It is unfortunate that people who have been misguided would lose their lives in that kind of manner in Ibaa.
“We have said this for the umpteenth time and any body who is in Rivers State will bear me witness that there cannot be any shortcut to wealth.
“I also have said to traditional rulers that they have a duty. It is not just to be given recognition, that they have a duty to expose Criminal elements within their neighborhood. ”
He also identified Oblle, Rukuni and Ndele as the other communities where illegal oil refining activities persist.
The Emuoha council chair raised questions about the role of the military in addressing these challenges in Ibaa community, especially with the present of a military formation in the area.
“This same activity is currently going on in Rukuni, going on in Ndele. It is going on in Obelle and for All these I have raised the alarm to security agencues.
“It is not as if the security agents or agencies are not aware of what is going on. I have always asked a simple question: how do these people transport this crude?
“There is an Army formation in Ibaa. In fact, there they even fenced up the road. So how do these people move?”
When contacted, spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she would find out and get back to our correspondent.
As of the time of filing this report Monday evening, our correspondent had not received a response from her.
Similarly, Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Rivers State Command, Olufemi Ayodele, said the anti-vandal unit has been dispatched to investigate the incident.
“I cannot confirm the incident for now. But we have sent our anti-vandal unit to find out after which I will get back to you, ” Ayodele said.