On Friday, tragedy struck when a fire broke out at a suspected oil theft site in Ovelle-Nvakaohia village, Rumuekpe community, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State in Nigeria killing around 20 people.
Most impacted were the women who were hired to bundle the stolen goods and paid N1,000 for each drum.
According to reports, the fire completely destroyed a pit that some people utilized for oil bunkering activities.
Although the Rivers State Police Command stated that 12 persons killed when they confirmed the incident, a source in the community alleged that there were more people engaged.
Five automobiles, four tricycles (often referred to as “Keke napep”), and a few motorcycles used to transport stolen crude oil were reportedly destroyed in the incident.
The informant, who requested anonymity, claimed that the trucks were filled with sacks of the stolen goods.