Twelve people were killed in an explosion that occurred early on Friday morning in Rumuekpe, in the state’s Emoha Local Government Area, according to the Rivers State Police Command.
The victims were scooping crude product when the site caught fire, according to early investigations, said SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the command’s spokeswoman, in a statement released in Port Harcourt.
Previous information indicated that the explosion happened as a bus carrying some stolen crude oil went up in flames as it was fleeing the scene for an unauthorised refinery nearby.
She stated, “So far about 12 persons are believed to have bee burnt to death. The identities of the victims are still unknown.” Adding that at the explosion location, four tricycles and five automobiles had been completely destroyed.
In the meantime, the command has warned the public to avoid illicit oil bunkering and to report any crimes to it by calling the numbers 08032003514 and 08098880134.