Tragedy Strikes: Five Feared Dead as Explosion Rocks Rivers State!

At least five individuals have been confirmed dead following an explosion at a residential building where illegally refined petroleum products were stored in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State.

The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) verified the explosion and resulting fire, which occurred late on Saturday, April 26.

In a statement released the same day, the Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, disclosed that, “The explosion happened around 11 am, leading to the deaths of five people—four women and one man—who were burnt beyond recognition.”

Call for Investigation and Public Caution

Dr. Fyneface called on authorities to thoroughly investigate the tragedy and urged residents and youths to desist from pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, artisanal refining, and trading in illegal petroleum products.

“We strongly warn against the home storage of illegal petroleum products to prevent such devastating incidents,” he emphasized.

He further reiterated the call for the Federal Government to legalize artisanal refining in the Niger Delta through the establishment of the proposed Presidential Artisanal Crude Oil Refining Development Initiative (PACORDI) or the setting up of modular refineries to prevent similar disasters.

Police Confirm Explosion

Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the explosion during an interview with Vanguard.

According to Iringe-Koko, “The fire was caused by a condensate kerosene product that was being stored for sale. A person lit a stove nearby to cook Indomie noodles, which triggered the blaze.”

She further noted that four fatalities were confirmed at the scene and assured that the police had commenced investigations into the incident.