*The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Tuesday, October 3, 2023, confirms the deadly fire explosion at the illegal oil-refining site has claimed 18 lives, while 25 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in Ibaa community, Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State of Nigeria

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Over 18 persons have died in an explosion at an illegal oil-refining site in Ibaa community, in Emuoha Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State, South-South region.

绿帽献妻 learnt the incident, some have described as a form of economic sabotage of Nigeria’s oil wealth, occurred late night Sunday, October 1, 2023, when some members of the community were scooping petroleum products illegally.

A source in the community disclosed the explosion occurred when one of the containers being used to refine some quantity of crude oil into finished petroleum products caught fire.

Though the exact number of casualties could not be ascertained by the community at the time, yet it is believed that several people were at the site as of the time of the incident, according to report .

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) also confirmed the incident Tuesday, October 3, that 18 people died in the deadly incident in Rivers State.

Olufemi Ayodele, Spokesperson of NSCDC, in a statement affirmed the victims were burnt beyond recognition in the fire explosion that occurred at the site.

Ayodele disclosed aside from the 18 persons confirmed dead, 25 others were also rescued with injuries.

The security agency said that preliminary findings on the incident revealed that the illegal oil-refining site is owned by certain John Bodo, who also sustained severe burns.

Bodo’s his son, Uche, who is a fresh graduate, died on the spot, according to NSCDC.

The statement identified other victims as a pregnant woman and a young lady, who is still preparing for her marriage ceremony planned for November 2023.