Explosion Kill Suspected Oil Pipeline Vandals In Imo

By Ayodele Oni

Police in Imo State has confirmed the death of five persons in an explosion at Obitti community in Ohaji/Egbema local government.

It was gathered that the deceased persons are suspected to be vandals of oil pipeline, caught while perpetrating the act.

Investigation revealed that the vandals had stormed the Obitti Rubber Estate with an articulated vehicle and dug through to an oil pipeline that passed through the area.

“They dug a hole in the pipeline and connected their long pipe to their tanker to steal oil.

Residents explained “I cannot say exactly what caused the explosion but I knew, and from what I saw, many people died. Many others, who narrowly escaped the explosion, sustained serious injuries.

“The fire that raged for hours burnt the tanker and also destroyed our farm produce worth millions of naira.”

ASP Henry Okoye, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state police command confirmed the death, on Wednesday, in Owerri.

Okoye said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Aboki Danjuma, has set up a team to unravel the immediate cause of the incident and arrest fleeing culprits.