Skip to content
Rivers State, Nigeria – A deadly explosion occurred Saturday at a house used for storing illegally refined petroleum products. At least five people lost their lives in the devastating fire in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA). The explosion at illegal fuel storage site highlights ongoing dangers.
Advocacy Group Confirms Tragedy
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) confirmed the fatalities. The group reported the explosion and fire happened where residents stored fuel products, including condensate, for resale.
Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface of YEAC provided details Saturday. “The incident occurred… Saturday, April 26, at about 11 AM,” he stated. He confirmed the explosion at illegal fuel storage killed five people: four females and one male, all “burnt beyond recognition.”
Calls for Investigation and Safer Practices
YEAC-Nigeria demanded a thorough investigation into the incident. The group also issued a strong warning to residents. They urged people to avoid pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, and dealing in illegally refined fuel. “We warn residents against involvement in illegal refining activities and home storage to avoid ugly incidents,” YEAC advised.
Additionally, the group repeated its call for government action. YEAC urged the federal government to create legal pathways for small-scale refiners. They suggested implementing the proposed Presidential Artisanal Crude Oil Refining Development Initiative (PACORDI) or establishing modular refineries. Such steps could prevent future tragedies linked to illegal petroleum storage.
Police Detail Suspected Cause
Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the explosion. She identified the stored fuel as “condensate kerosene product.” The police spokesperson explained how the fire likely started. “Somebody brought a lighted stove close to the place where the product was stored to cook Indomie and that ignited the fire,” Iringe-Koko said.
She initially confirmed four deaths based on early reports. The PPRO assured the public that the “police will investigate the matter” fully. [Placeholder: Link to official police update or local news coverage.
Abdullah Korede
