An oil spill mishap in Okrika, Rivers State led to an explosion, causing the confirmed death of two fishermen who accidentally ignited the spill with their lanterns near the NAFCON bridge.
Earlier reports had indicated as many as 16 casualties. The spill originated from a mishandling incident during fuel transfer at a Port Harcourt depot. In the wake of the explosion, local residents were seen gathering and selling fish found dead in the contaminated waters. The Okrika LGA Chairman, Akuro Tobin, pointed out the perils of oil theft.
Environmentalist Fyneface Dumnamene has called for a thorough investigation and emphasized the urgency of environmental remediation.
