At least five persons have lost their lives following a deadly explosion in a residential area in Omoku, the headquarters of the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Saturday morning.
The tragic incident occurred around 11 AM and has left the community in shock.
Environmental activist Fyneface Dumnamene, who is also the executive director of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, confirmed the devastating news in a statement issued on Saturday.
According to Dumnamene, the explosion took place in one of the rooms of a residence used for storing illegally refined petroleum products, a dangerous practice that has become a cause for concern in the area.
Sources revealed that the residents of the house had been involved in the illicit trade of refined petroleum products, including kerosene, which they would buy and resell to the public.
It is believed that these products were being stored in the house when the explosion occurred.
The tragic blast resulted in the deaths of five individuals—four women and one man—who were reportedly burnt beyond recognition.
The victims’ identities have not yet been confirmed, and the community is still reeling from the shock of the incident.
In a statement, the Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, corroborated the details of the explosion, confirming the loss of life.
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She also provided insight into the cause of the fire, stating, “What really caused the fire was that a resident brought a cooking stove to the place and was preparing noodles, which ignited the fire.”
This explosion in Omoku comes on the heels of two other deadly explosions in Rivers State earlier this year.
In March, explosions rocked the Trans-Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area, and a pipeline manifold in the Omwawriwa community, within the Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
In response to the growing security concerns, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the administrator on March 18, 2025.
The recent string of explosions has highlighted the ongoing risks associated with the illegal oil refining operations in parts of the state.
Authorities have vowed to take more stringent measures to address these dangerous activities and prevent further loss of life.
As investigations continue, residents in Omoku are left grappling with the aftermath of the explosion, while the state and federal authorities work to ensure such incidents do not repeat.