The Rivers State Police Command has reacted to the fire incident at an illegal oil refining site in Ibaa Community, Emohua local government area of the state.
Spokesperson of the command, Grace Koko in a statement on Tuesday said fifteen persons including a pregnant woman lost their lives in the inferno.
Her statement reads,
On Sunday, October 1, 2023, at 23:30 hours, the Rivers State Police Command received distress information about a tragic fire explosion at Ibaa community, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State. Regrettably, fifteen individuals, among them a pregnant woman, lost their lives in this devastating incident, while an additional twenty people suffered various degree of burn injuries. These casualties were as a result of an explosion at an oil pipeline owned by a major oil company, which had been illegally accessed for crude oil extraction within a forested area.
Swift response by police patrol team from Rumuji Division promptly arrived at the scene. They documented the incident with photographs and also facilitated a dignified evacuation of the deceased for proper burial by their grieving families. Those who sustained burn injuries were swiftly transported to nearby medical facilities for essential treatment.
The Rivers State Police Command has initiated a thorough investigation to ascertain the root cause of this pipeline vandalization with the intention of bringing the culprits to justice.
Furthermore, Commissioner of Police, CP. Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka, PSC, LLB, Ph.D. has implored parents and guardians to take responsibility for guiding their children and wards from activities that could disrupt the quest for peaceful and sustainable development throughout the state.
