Reports say at least 24 people have been killed when pipelines operated by the state-run Pipeline and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) – a subsidiary of NNPC – caught fire and exploded almost simultaneously in two villages, Umuimo and Umuaduru in Osisioma Local Government Area, in Aba, Abia State. The incident is said to have occurred around 1.00 – 2.00 am of Friday 12 October.
Abia State Commissioner of Police, Mr Anthony Ogbizi, who arrived the scene on Saturday, spoke with pressmen and confirmed the incident. He said, the police was informed that 14 people died at Umuimo village, while 10 died at Umuaduru. Other victims who received varied degrees of burns had been rushed to nearby hospitals.
Some residents claim the casualty figure was as high as 90.
The management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Aba depot said the explosion may have arisen from spillage from a pipeline that was undergoing maintenance.
But the boss of the National Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) Abia command, Mr. Eze, who also was at the scene blamed the Umuaduru incident on youths in the area who were scooping petroleum from a vandalised pipeline. He said in the case of Umuimo, the fire broke out when a woman, identified as a food vendor, got up at about 3 a.m to start cooking for the day’s business and the petrol stored in the house was ignited by fire set for cooking by the woman.
We could not authenticate any of the versions to the story but the local police department say they have commenced investigations.
Nigerian pipelines have in the past been sabotaged by local groups, even as it is also true that pipelines are often poorly maintained as well.
In October 18, 1998, an open pipeline exploded in a inferno that raged for five days and killed over a thousand person in Jesse, a town in Delta State.
Yet, as at this Monday 15 October, the community is raising alarm over another leaking pipeline in the area. The leakage was detected in Umuaduru village with premium motor spirit (petrol) said to be currently gushing out.
The Public Relations Officer of Osisioma Ngwa Youth Congress, Nwabueze Princewill, said the group had contacted the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation about it, and they are awaiting response from them.
The group, however, advised residents of the community to steer clear of the areas pending repairs. They also threatened to drag NNPC to court to seek justice for the families of the victims.
