A section of Koko community in Warri North Local Council Area, Delta State, has fled to safe locations following a major spill and fire at a large fuel storage tank operated by Sharon Petroleum Nigeria Limited.

Residents reported that the spill from the tank could not be contained by the company, spreading into nearby residential areas in Koko and igniting. The fire was so enormous that people scattered in every direction to escape. The market near the depot was suddenly abandoned as market women hurriedly left their wares behind.

The scent of petrol spread through the Koko community, causing residents to evacuate amid rising fears of an imminent explosion. This was due to the ongoing spill from the company’s largest tank, which was reportedly caused by equipment failure, allegedly resulting from negligence.

According to the community, two young men died onboard a boat while returning home, and many others were rushed to the hospital because they suffocated from petrol fumes that covered the air like a thick cloud.

Koko residents reported that the fuel spill could not be contained because the company supposedly lacked the facilities to evacuate the product from the leaking tank. This led to flames that filled the air with thick smoke, spreading across a large area of the community.

They reported that many people were directly impacted and experienced stomach pain, nasal congestion, persistent coughing, and itchy eyes. Additionally, they mentioned that the spillage killed numerous fish and seafood, including tilapia, molluscs, catfish, and ‘governor’ fish, all of which were found floating in large numbers on the water’s surface.

Mr. Friday Oritsegbemi, the community’s town crier, stated that he and his wife discovered the situation while heading out for their usual fishing trip around 2 a.m. He said that when they reached the river, they were overwhelmed by a suffocating fuel smell, which compelled them to turn back home. He added that at approximately 4:00 a.m, a staff member from Sharon Petroleum Ltd, who was nearby, informed him to alert the entire Koko community not to set fires or handle any flammable objects, as the company’s facility had malfunctioned, resulting in oil spilling into the river.

Mama Ebede Lawalogun Oritsematosan, an elderly woman, stated that the fuel leakage had caused her illness, as no relief measures or compensation had been provided to her. She explained that her children brought a medical doctor to treat her, but since then, her cough and stomach pains have worsened.

The Foundation for Earth Rights Assembly (FERA), which visited the scene to ascertain the level of response by the government, said the impacted victims felt neglected.

FERA’s team, led by Executive Director Nosa Tokunbor, stated that the victims, who live and fish in the vicinity of the company’s facility at Aja–Olugbeti, have complained of failing health and damage to their source of livelihood.

The Head of Koko town, Nana Anthony Olaraja, stated that the incident was now under control, as the stench had been adequately mitigated by the company. He however pointed out that the stench from the spillage was almost seizing the breath of people in the community.

He was corroborated by the Chairman of Koko Community Management Authority (KCMA), Dr. Chris Eburajolo, who said the incident had been contained.