Two pregnant women and fifteen other people died on Sunday, October 1, in River State following a pipeline explosion due to the activities of illegal refining of crude oil.
The explosion happened at Rumucholu village in the Ibaa community of Emoha local government area of Rivers State.
According to reports, the explosion occurred when suspected illegal oil bunkers attempted to set up an illegal refinery site at the location.
It was gathered that operatives of the 26 Support Engineer Regiment (SER-Nigerian Army Engineers) in collaboration with a surveillance firm, Pipeline Infrastructures Nigeria Limited (PINL) had about two weeks ago launched massive and intensive clampdown and destruction of illegal refineries along the right of way and its corridor.
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The accident was linked to fear of a clampdown or arrest as PINL and GSA maintained their presence around the clock, especially at night.
The victims were burnt due to the illegal refining at the location as the illicit business was hurriedly being carried out for fear of detection by the surveillance company.
A representative of PINL, who spoke with journalists at the scene of the incident, explained that the security company, in collaboration with the security agencies, has been destroying illegal refineries in the area for the past six months.
Despite engaging over a hundred youths in Ibaa communities in public enlightenment and on the danger of illegal refining, they continued in the illicit business of crude oil theft and illegal refining.
