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From Stanley Uzoaru , Owerri
An oil pipeline explosion has allegedly killed five natives of Obitti in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of the State on Tuesday.
A source from the area told our correspondent that the incident, which occurred at the Obitti Rubber Estate was caused by illegal oil bunkering.
The oil thieves were said to have been extracting oil from a pipeline to a tanker when a spark ignited from some part of the pipeline and razed the entire place including the tanker.
Besides the number of people killed, so many of the indigenes who were in their farms were said to have been wounded as a result of the explosion while crops worth millions of naira were also damaged.
Natives of the community and their neighbours were said to have abandoned their homes for a safety place.
Confirming the incident, the State Police spokesman, Henry Okoye said that the Commissioner of Police CP Aboki Danjuma has already set up a high-power investigation team to immediately unravel the immediate cause of the incident and arrest the culprits.
However, on the number of people that lost their lives during the incident, the Police image maker said that he is yet to ascertain the accurate number.
