The police in Rivers State, yesterday, initiated an investigation to ascertain the cause of the October 1 tragic fire explosion at Ibaa community in Emohua Local Council of the state.
Spokesperson of the command, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement, said the investigation was aimed at bringing perpetrators to justice. She disclosed that 15 people, including a pregnant woman, lost their lives in the incident, while 20 suffered various burn injuries.
According to him, the explosion occurred at an oil pipeline, owned by a major oil company, which was illegally accessed for crude oil extraction within a forested area.
She said on getting information on the incident at about 11:30 p.m, a police patrol team from Rumuji Police Division was swiftly deployed to the scene.
She said the operatives documented the incident with photographs and also facilitated a dignified evacuation of the deceased for proper burial, while those injured were moved to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police (CP), Nwonyi Emeka, has asked parents and guardians to guide their children and wards from activities that could disrupt peace in the state.
Police launch probe into Rivers pipeline fire incident
(FILES) This hand-out photograph released on October 13, 2004 by the ethnic pressure group the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, shows the aftermath of an oil pipeline leak and subsequent fire in the southern Nigerian village of Goi, in the Niger delta region. - Oil giant Shell has agreed to pay around 95 million euros to communities in southern Nigeria over crude spills in 1970, the company and the community's lawyer said on Wednesday. (Photo by STR / Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People / AFP) / -----EDITORS NOTE --- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People " - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - NO ARCHIVES
