25 Reportedly Dead As Explosion Rocks Imo Community

An oil explosion that occurred in the oil-bearing community of Obitti in the Ohaji/Egbema Council Area of Imo State has claimed the lives of no fewer than 25 persons.

The incident occurred on Tuesday at the Obitti Rubber Estate as a result of illegal bunkering.

Apart from the persons reported dead, an undisclosed number of persons escaped being trapped in the explosion, with properties and farmlands estimated at several million Naira damaged.

The incident according to sources started from the activities of some hoodlums who dug a deep hole in a nearby bush, fixed a long pipe in it from where they scooped crude oil, which they emptied into a hired standby tanker.

While the illegal oil operation was going on, suspected vandals emerged from the bush and engaged the bunkers in a gun duel to disperse them, the source said.

It was gathered that the exchange of fire ensured, consequently sparking off an explosion with a resultant inferno which not only sent some of the boys to their early graves but also reduced the stationary tanker to rubble with billows of smoke oozing out from the burning tanker.

Confirming the incident, the Imo State Police Command through the Public Relations Officer ASP Henry Okoye said in a telephone chat that the Commissioner of Police CP Aboki Danjuma has already set up a high-power investigation team to immediately unravel the immediate cause of the incident and arrest the culprits.

On the number of people that lost their lives during the incident, the Police spokesman said that he is yet to ascertain the number.