Police Confirm Oil Pipeline Explosion in Rivers, 12 persons feared dead
The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed an explosion of oil pipeline at the Rumurkpe community in the Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State.
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.
In a statement t by the spokesperson of the comma.d SP GRACE IRINGE-KOKO said 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 NAPEPs, 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, and avail themselves of the following hotlines to report any incident or development they believe has the potential to lead to crime or break down of law and order: 08032003514, 08098880134.
In the meantime the Executive Director, Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) FYNEFACE DUMNAMENE FYNEFACE in a statement said the explosion and fire which left dozens including women dead and burnt beyond recognition with many other vehicles and tricycles burnt to ashes at the tapping point on the Trans Niger Delta Pipeline (TNP) that passed through the community.
The executive director of YEAC-Nigeria who raised the alarm said the centre git the information through its Crude Oil Spill Alert System (COSAS) and members of its “One Million Youth Volunteers Network of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters in the Niger Delta” in the community.
More photos below.
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