Police confirm 12 dead in Rivers bunkering site explosion

The police in Rivers have confirmed that 12 persons died in the early Friday morning explosion at a bunkering site in Rumuekpe community of Emohua Local Government Area of the state.
Police spokesperson for the Rivers police command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said in a statement in Port Harcourt that preliminary investigation indicated that the victims were scooping crude product when the site caught fire.

The explosion occurred as a bus loaded with some syphoned crude went up in flames, as it was leaving the spot for an illegal refinery in the area.
“So far about 12 persons are believed to have been burnt to death. The identities of the victims are still unknown,” she stated.
Ms Iringe-Koko also said that five vehicles and four tricycles were burnt to ashes at the explosion site.
Meanwhile, the command has admonished members of the public to stay away from illegal oil bunkering and contact it through telephone numbers, 08032003514 and 08098880134, to report any crime.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Politics
IPAC urges INEC to improve on future elections
The Inter Party Advisory Council noted that “election is the beauty of democracy and must be free, fair, credible, transparent, acceptable, inclusive and peaceful.”

States
Ebonyi residents want FG to release naira notes to reduce suffering
The residents expressed satisfaction over the Supreme Court ruling ordering that the old N200, N500, N1,000 notes remain in circulation till December 31.

Economy
Economists urge CBN to comply with Supreme Court’s ruling on old naira
The Supreme Court recently nullified the federal government’s naira redesign policy, declaring it as an affront to the 1999 Constitution.

Politics
Appeal Court grants Atiku, Obi leave to inspect election materials
Messrs Abubakar and Obi are alleging substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 in addition to violence and rigging.

NationWide
EXPLAINER: How Supreme Court judgement on naira notes will affect Tinubu’s swearing-in
Mr Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress might lose his new title as president-elect if the plaintiffs can convince the Court that the INEC had violated the Election Act.

Economy
MAN, CPPE laud Supreme Court ruling on naira redesign policy
“Indeed, the bigger threat to monetary policy effectiveness and inflation is the N22 trillion ways and means finances of the CBN.”