Unconfirmed reports say that about seven people may have died and scores of others severely injured in an explosion at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) jetty, in Okrika, Rivers State.
The explosion, which was allegedly caused by petroleum product thieves, happened on Sunday, May 18.
The Chairman of Okrika Local Government Area, Tamuno Williams, who confirmed the incident, said that the fire broke out when pipeline vandals were siphoning petroleum products from the pipelines belonging to the NNPC at a jetty near Okrika.
The Executive Director, Services of the NNPC, Mr. Ralph Ugwu, however, said that the blast did not damage refinery installations and had no impact on operations.
Mr. Ogwu added that the explosion had nothing to do with the NNPC or the refinery but with some people who came to steal crude.
The Rivers State Police Command also confirmed the explosion, attributing it to activities of oil pipeline vandals. It also said that those who were burnt had be taken to an hospital for treatment.
London-based Think Tank, Chatham House had said in 2013 that oil theft was costing Africa’s top producer an estimated $5 billion a year in potential revenue.
