Tragic Loss of 20 Lives in Rivers Due to Oil Explosion from Agip Pipeline
A crude oil condensate explosion from a pipeline operated by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in Obrikom, near Omoku in Rivers State, has resulted in the loss of at least 20 lives. The explosion occurred at a waterside in the Obrikom community on the Obiafu I and II pipelines in ONELGA, a significant oil and gas hub in Rivers State.
The incident transpired as individuals were reportedly scooping products into containers from a tapping point on the hacked pipeline.
Witnesses noted that while 20 individuals were feared dead, many others suffered varying degrees of burns and were receiving treatment in different hospitals in the area, including Omoku General Hospital.
The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) condemned the acts that led to the fire explosion on the Agip pipeline in Obrikom, emphasizing that the incident resulted from the vandalism of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company pipelines. The content being scooped was identified as condensate, not Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), according to NSCDC officials.
He said, “Information reaching us on the fire explosion suffice that some unscrupulous elements maneuver their way to the pipeline, vandalized it, and started scooping fuel.
“As a matter of fact and without sounding immodest, the Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, in strong terms condemns all activities amounting to economic sabotage.
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We would continue to partner with sister security agencies most especially the already constituted joint security taskforce to combat the menace of illegal oil bunkering activities in Rivers State.
“We commiserate with families of the deceased and those who sustained various degrees of injuries. Notably, during the explosion about four farm plantations were destroyed, and 12 persons lost their lives while others were badly injured; all these could have been avoided if our people in Rivers State understood that any act of vandalism or attack against oil pipelines would have a degrading effect on the community, the lives and property of people and the nation’s economy at large.”
