At least five people died in an explosion that rocked an illegal bunkering site in Obitti, an oil-producing community in Imo State, on Wednesday.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye, attributed the incident to the illegal activities of oil thieves in the area, particularly at the Obitti Rubber Estate, known for its nefarious oil vandalism.
According to him, five vandals were killed, a fuel tanker burnt down and several properties and farmlands destroyed.
According to villagers, who were on ground when the incident occurred, there was a clash between rivalry oil thieves while they were loading a crude oil tanker which resulted in a gun duel which sparked off an explosion.
In response to this unfortunate event, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, established a highly skilled investigation team to promptly determine the root cause of the incident and apprehend those responsible.
