|
Listen to article
|
At least 30 bodies have reportedly burnt to ashes after a tanker suspected to be used by oil bunkers exploded in the forest of Obitti, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, The Eastern Updates reports.
It was gathered that the tragedy occurred yesterday at the place described as Ndorama pipeline right of way in the Obitti rubber estate of Ohaji/Egbema council of the state.
As at the time of filing this report, relatives of the victims gave different versions of what caused the explosion.
According to some, there was a gunfight between two gangs vying for control of the oil bunkering industry. Some thought that the attack that resulted in the explosion was orchestrated by the executives overseeing the oil bunkering industry.
Read Also: Abia Govt Announces Ban On “Take Away” Foils
While a community leader, who did not want his name mentioned, alleged that the victims trespassed the territory of the ilegal bunkering location said to be under the control of a kingpin, also said to be a politician.
According to a video by the eyewitness, he said: “Vandals came to vandalise pipeline right of way. This place is called Ndorama pipeline right of way. They drove to the place in a tanker suspected to be used for the illegal bunkering. They dug deep into the ground, located the pipeline and from where they tapped from and emptied the oil into a tanker parked inside the bush.
“They used long hoses connected it to the pipe but unfortunately, luck ran out of them. It exploded and killed many of them. You can see some of them burnt to ashes. Some of them, their bodies are still burning. The tanker was still burning.”
Reacting, the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye said the command had set up a high-power investigation team to move in and unearth the immediate cause of the incident, as well as arrest the persons involved.
