Death Toll Rises To 24 In Abia Pipeline Explosion

The death toll from Friday’s oil pipeline explosion in two Abia communities in Osisioma Local Government Area of the state has risen to 24, Commissioner of Police Anthony Ogbizi, has said.

The state Commander of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps Benito Eze confirmed to newsmen on Friday that 19 persons, including a nursing mother, died on the spot.

Briefing newsmen in Umuahia yesterday after visiting the scene of the explosion, Ogbizi said that the number of deaths had risen to 24.

“When we visited the two communities on Saturday, we were informed that 14 people were reported dead at Umuimo village, while 10 died at Umuaduru.


“Some of the victims who sustained various degrees of burns were said to be asleep when the incident occurred.

“They were said to have been taken to nearby hospitals and traditional medicine homes for treatment,” he said.

The police boss said that management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Aba depot blamed the explosion on a spillage from a pipeline that was undergoing maintenance.