The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed that 12 people were killed in an early Friday morning explosion in Rumuekpe, Emoha Local Government Area of the state.
SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the command’s spokesperson, said in a statement in Port Harcourt that preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were scooping crude product when the site caught fire.
The explosion occurred as a bus loaded with some siphoned crude was leaving the area for an illegal refinery.
“So far about 12 persons are believed to have been burnt to death. “The victims’ identities are still unknown,” she said.
Iringe-Koko also stated that five vehicles and four tricycles were destroyed in the explosion.
Meanwhile, the command has warned members of the public to avoid illegal oil bunkering and to report any crime to the numbers 08032003514 and 08098880134.
