Five persons have been killed 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 event to Channels Television, Henry Okoye, spokesman for the Imo State Police Command, said the tragic incidence occurred as a result of unlawful operations by oil thieves at Obitti Rubber Estate, which is well-known for oil vandalism.
According to him, five vandals were slain, a fuel tanker was burned down, and several homes and farmlands were ruined.
According to villagers, who were on ground when the incident occurred, there was a clash between rivalry oil thieves while they were loading a crude oil tanker which resulted in a gun duel which sparked off an explosion.
Okoye said the Commissioner of Police CP Aboki Danjuma has already set up a high-powered investigation team to immediately unravel the immediate cause of the incident and arrest the culprits.