The Rivers State Police Command has initiated an investigation to ascertain the root cause of the October 1 tragic fire explosion at Ibaa community, Emohua Local Government Area of the State.
The Command, in a statement signed by its Spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the investigation is with the intention of bringing the culprits to justice.
Iringe-Koko while reacting to the unfortunate incident, said fifteen individuals, among them a pregnant woman, lost their lives in this devastating incident, while an additional twenty people suffered various degrees of burn injuries.
She noted that casualties were the 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.
She further explained that on getting wind of the incident at about 11:30 pm, a police patrol team from Rumuji Police Division swiftly arrived at the scene, adding that the operatives documented the incident with photographs and also facilitated a dignified evacuation of the deceased for proper burial by their grieving families, while those who sustained burn injuries were swiftly transported to nearby medical facilities for essential treatment.
She said: “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 degrees 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.”
Meanwhile, the state commissioner of police, CP. Nwonyi Emeka,has implored parents and guardians to take responsibility for guiding their children and wards away from activities that could disrupt the quest for peaceful and sustainable development throughout the state.