Report has shown that, not less than five persons have lost their lives in an oil-producing community of Obitti in the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State following an explosion that occurred at an illegal bunkering site in the area.
Confirming the incident, the spokesman for the Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye, said the unfortunate incident happened as the oil thieves goes on theirĀ illegal activities at a place called Obitti Rubber Estate popularly known for nefarious activities of oil vandals.
According to him, the five vandals met their death and a fuel tanker also burnt down while several properties and farmlands destroyed.
The villagers, on ground during the incident made mention of a clash going on between rivalry oil thieves while loading a crude oil tanker which resulted in a gun duel that sparked off an explosion.
Okoye said the Commissioner of Police CP Aboki Danjuma has already set up a high-powered investigation team to immediately dig out the actual cause of the incident and bring the culprits unto justice.