A tragic incident unfolded in Imo State as numerous individuals are feared dead following an explosion caused by a suspected oil bunkering tanker in the forest of Obitti, located in the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area.
The devastating event occurred on Tuesday at the Ndorama Pipeline in the Obitti Rubber Estate. Reports suggest that the tanker, believed to be involved in illegal bunkering, exploded after vandals attempted to tap and siphon oil from the pipeline. Eyewitnesses shared disturbing details, noting that the explosion resulted in severe burns and casualties.
In a viral video on social media, an eyewitness described how the vandals dug deep into the ground, located the pipeline, and used hoses to extract oil into a parked tanker in the bush. Unfortunately, the illegal operation took a tragic turn, leading to the tanker explosion and subsequent loss of lives.
Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident, stating that an investigation team has been deployed to the scene to determine the cause of the fire and apprehend those involved. As of now, the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed.
This unfortunate event highlights the dangers associated with illegal bunkering activities and emphasizes the need for heightened security measures to curb such practices, preventing further loss of lives and damage to property.
