In a devastating incident in southern Nigeria, at least 18 individuals, including a pregnant woman, lost their lives when an illegal oil refinery exploded, engulfing the area in flames. The tragic incident occurred in Rivers State and was the result of a homemade refinery igniting an adjacent oil reservoir, leaving victims with severe burns, according to a security official.
Concerns loom over the possibility of the death toll rising, given the number of individuals believed to have been present at the site when the explosion occurred. Fortunately, 25 injured people were rescued, as reported by Olufemi Ayodele, spokesman for the local Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps.
The workers at the site were involved in refining oil sourced from a vandalized pipeline, explained Chima Avadi, a local activist. He noted, "When they scoop oil from the point where they vandalized the pipe, they transport it to the location where they were processing it. This is how the fire started."
Tragically, explosions at locally-run refineries are not uncommon in the oil-rich yet economically challenged Niger Delta region. This region is particularly vulnerable to chronic oil theft, with most of the nation's oil facilities being targeted.
In addition to the loss of lives, Nigeria officially suffered a staggering loss of at least $3 billion worth of crude oil to theft between January 2021 and February 2022. Criminal operators often establish these refineries in remote areas to evade regulators. Workers at such facilities frequently disregard safety standards, leading to frequent fires, including a tragic incident in Imo state the previous year, which claimed the lives of over 100 individuals.
Fyneface Dumnamene, the Executive Director of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, has been tirelessly advocating for environmental reforms and an end to these illegal activities. However, he acknowledges that amid growing economic hardships in Nigeria, people are seeking opportunities to make ends meet.
It's worth noting that, in addition to the loss of lives and environmental damage, Nigeria's economy has been significantly impacted by oil theft. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission reported a loss of at least $3 billion worth of crude oil due to theft between January 2021 and February 2022.
This tragic incident highlights the urgent need for both safety measures and economic opportunities in the region to prevent further loss of lives and resources.