Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Fire explosion at an illegal oil refining site has claimed over 17 lives, including two pregnant women, at Rumucholu community in Ibaa, Emuohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
SweetcrudeReports gathered that the fire incident occurred as a result of attempt to restart an illegal refinery, which was previously destroyed by operatives of pipeline security firms engaged by NNPC Ltd., GSA and PINL, working together with the Nigerian Army.
A member of the community, who spoke to journalists at the scene of the incident, said the victims were burnt while carrying out illegal refining at the location, saying the illicit business was being hurriedly carried out for fear of the arrival of private security contractors, PINL and GSA.
The community member, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said PINL and GSA, in collaboration with the 26 Support Engineer Regiment (SER-Nigerian Army Engineers), have intensified destruction of illegal refinery over the last six months.
Confirming the incident, the Chief Security Officer of Ibaa clan, Mr Rufus Welekwe, who expressed sadness over the incident, appealed to the youths of the community to stay away from illegal crude oil refining, and to engage in legitimate business.
Meanwhile, family members of some of the victims of the Kpofire explosion have expressed sadness over the loss of their loved ones.
An elder brother to one of the victims, Pastor Henry Iyenatebo, whose 32- year old brother is the only recognisable victim, said he never knew his younger brother was into illegal oil refining business.
“I don’t know what happened, because these are not the things I accommodate as a pastor. I schooled every person to keep themselves away from such situations but coming to hear that this happened to my own person, I was surprised.
“I was in the church before I had a call that I should come to this community that something was going on. I asked what was going on and they said my younger one was lying there helplessly. I asked what happened they said he went for Kpofire business. He should be between 30-32 years old.
Eric Isaac-Okoro is his name.
“I didn’t have a clue that he was into this kind of business because if I knew I would have stopped him on time. I’m surprised to see this because that is not how he was brought up. We were trying to train him as a welder. I have been able to identify him and the family will do what they can to bury within available resources.”
