It was a black Friday for the people of Osisioma in Ngwa community in Abia State as an explosion from petroleum pipelines killed over 60 people, injuring over 100.
Property worth several million were also gutted by the fire from the explosion.
It was gathered that the fire started from a damage allegedly caused by vandals who usually scoop fuel from the pipeline.
A witness said that a group of people always took advantage of the leakages from the pipeline to scoop fuel.
A resident, Marcus Enyinweofia, told Cornerstone News that:” We have been warning our people to stop the habit of scooping fuel from the damaged pipeline since the NNPC has refused to repair it, but they wouldn’t listen.
The pipeline was damaged by vandals and we reported the leakages to the appropriate quarters, yet nothing was done to repair it.
Now that the damage has been done and many lives were lost, the government and NNPC will react. Over 80 lives have been lost, but can’t be sure of casualty figure, because so many people were burnt to Ashes. We recovered about 60 bodies and over 100 were rushed to the hospitals “.
He said that the Osisioma Ngwa Youth Congress has visited the scene of the explosion and discovered the colossal loss. According to him, Umuimo and Umuaduru villages recorded tragedy.
Another resident, Paul Ugochukwu said:” Over 56 persons have been confirmed dead. While about 100 other victims are receiving treatments with only very slim chances of survival.
“The outbreak is as a result of the leakages on the pipeline. The lines have been faulty for some years back, and several calls have been made to the NNPC for due maintenance and repairs by the communities and Local Government authority, but nothing was done as NNPC still continue to pump products through the damaged pipeline.
“While we cannot absolve some of the victims of their own errors, or dismiss the possible fact that many of them went to scoop fuel products, we emphatically state that there was no case of vandalism in the pipeline.
The number of casualties at the Umuimo scene is comparatively low for the reason that the men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were on ground to keep people away from the location, but failed to replicate same actions at the Umuaduru site where the number of casualties is outrageous.
We mourn heavily for the souls of our departed and grieve deeply for the pains of those who are still alive in pains.
“The public will be notified on our next line of action. We are currently in consultations with our members and relevant stakeholder s
We admonish all to be calm even in our grief, and take all necessary steps to stay safe”
