01 May 2013, Warri – Tragedy struck Egbemene community in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, Monday, claiming three people in a suspected adulterated kerosene explosion.
The three include two lovers, identified as Godstime Bisa, 26, and Fine Boson, 15, and their friend.
The blast affected five persons, who were inside a room. It happened when one of them attempted to refill an already lit lantern.
The victims were being rushed to the hospital when the two lovers died. A third peron died the following day.
Bemoaning the deaths, co-ordinator of the Ijaw People Development Initiative, IPDI, Comrade Austin Ozobo, said: “This is a mysterious death, no one expected the two lovers will die so cheaply.
“I have visited the community, the people are very curious to know how such a minor fire could claim two lives and left three seriously burnt.
“The Ijaw people are equally handicapped over the attitude of security operatives and government hospitals because they assume that any Ijaw person burnt by fire is an oil bunkerer or pipeline vandal.
“So they either inject the victim dead or call security men to arrest the victim. This shows that the life of Ijaw man has no value.”
He continued; “Even now, we are still battling for a suitable place where the three survivors can be treated and one of them just died today (Tuesday). So, I call on the state government to come to the aid of the victims and their families”.
