A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday night in the Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni local government area of Rivers State, claiming the lives of no fewer than twenty individuals.
Additionally, fifteen people with varying degrees of fire burns are currently undergoing treatment after being hospitalized.
Vincent Job, the chairman of Ogba Egbema Nodoni local government area, confirmed the casualties to newsmen. However, he leveled serious allegations against security personnel responsible for safeguarding the oil facility, accusing them of compromise and collusion with oil thieves.
The fatal episode occurred at the high-powered pressure multiple trunk line owned by the Nigeria Agip Oil Company. Reports indicate that the victims lost their lives while attempting to pilfer crude from the numerous pipelines that transport various products to the NAOC facility at the OB plant.
The Chairman, Ogba Egbema Nodoni local government area,Vincent Job, regretted the avoidable deaths of those involved while tampering with the high-pressure pipeline but accused security personnel protecting the facilities of colluding with the oil thieves.
Leading journalists to the explosion site, a local security outfit, the Onelga Security Peace and Advisory Committee (OSPAC), Cautioned youths to stop destroying oil facilities meant for economic advancement of the country.
As at the time of filing this report, the trunk line has been shutdown awaiting repairs from the relevant authorities.
