Imo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, attributed the incident to illegal oil theft activities, particularly prevalent at the Obitti Rubber Estate.

The explosion, triggered by a clash between rival oil thieves during a tanker loading, led to a destructive gunfight and engulfed a fuel tanker in flames, causing extensive damage to properties and farmlands.

Responding to the tragedy, Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, initiated a specialized investigation team to ascertain the incident’s cause and apprehend the perpetrators.

In a separate development, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) reported the arrest of seventy-seven illegal miners in Ogun State.

Commandant David Ojelabi highlighted the collaboration between the NSCDC and the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel to address the issue, emphasizing the need for heightened security measures to prevent further incidents, such as the recent explosion in Ibadan attributed to illegal mining explosives.

Ojelabi underscored the challenges posed by porous borders, facilitating the illegal importation of explosives into the country and called for concerted efforts to tackle the issue effectively.

He further said, “It is like asking how armed robbers are getting their rifles and so on. Wherever you have 12 sitting together, possibly you have one Judas among them.

“So, because of the number of unmanned borders, I mean porous borders or illegal borders, they can easily import those things illegally into the country and make use of them.”