5 drown fleeing tank farm explosion

•8 persons in critical conditions

NO fewer than five persons have drowned while fleeing from multiple explosions at a tank farm operated by Matrix company in Ifiekporo community, Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State.

It was gathered that eight persons are still in critical condition at undisclosed hospitals

It was gathered that the tank farm went up in flames Friday night causing panic in the community that is hosts to several tank farms operated by different companies.  

A community source, who spoke to Vanguard said they were aware of the corpses recovered, saying: “In panic and fear, some persons certainly would have jumped into the river to save their lives and were drown. We are aware some corpses have been recovered but we don’t know their identities yet.“  

A staff of Matrix, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the recovery of some bodies, saying: “People jumped into the water. The corpses seen floating on the river have been taken to the mortuary. Their identities for now are unknown.”

Reacting to the incident, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, in a statement by its President and General Secretary, Prince William Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, respectively, said: “We are greatly saddened by the sad news of the explosion that rocked the gas section of Matrix Energy Tank Farm, resulting in loss of lives and property on Friday, July 8, 2022, at lfiekporo in Warri, Delta State.

“We commiserate with families of those that died from this very unfortunate accident. We pray that the Almighty God grants the families of the deceased the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss of their loved ones. 

"As a trade union organisation, we have no other option at this critical time than to use this very painful incident to further call on all employers of labour, especially in the oil and gas industry to place greater premium on safety in all workplaces and ensure adequate and regular training for all personnel on health and safety.

"Prevention of industrial accidents should be of highest priority at all times. We wish the injured quick recovery and the management of Matrix Energy God’s guidance and support at this very trying time as well.”

2 killed in fresh C-River communal conflict

TWO persons have been feared dead after a fresh communal conflict erupted in Yala Local Government Area in the northern part of Cross River State.

The clash between same Yala-speaking Ijegu-Ojor and Yabu communities started weekend and lasted up to yesterday morning where several houses were destroyed in both communities besides loss of lives.

“This crisis erupted last year and elders of the two villages reached a compromise after political leaders in the area intervened but it resurfaced this year following disagreement over ownership of same portion of rice farm land,” a source told Vanguard 

She said youths had been in the bush since Friday engaging youths of the other community in battle with guns and machetes. 

The state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alphonsus Eba, who hails from the LGA called on both communities to maintain  peace and stop further hostilities.

In a statement by his media aide, Emmanuel Okaba, the APC chairman warned that the chiefs and leaders in the area would be held responsible if more lives were lost.

Cross River State Police Command spokesman, Ms Irene Ugbo,  said she is not aware adding: “Police cannot be everywhere at the same time. Tell your people to stop the unnecessary conflicts and let peace reign."

11 killed as bandits invade farms in Zamfara community

No fewer than 11 locals have been killed as bandits attacked Dangulbi community in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

It was learned that the incident happened on Sunday afternoon as terrorists loyal to a notorious kingpin, Damina, attacked farmers on their farmland – an incident that left several others unaccounted for.

Dangulbi is about 100km  from Gusau, the Zamfara state capital.

Spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command, Mohammed Shehu, confirmed the casualty figure, yesterday.

He stated the police authorities had since deployed a reinforcement team to the area to restore calm and normalcy in the community.

According to Shehu, police tactical operatives have begun a confidence-building patrol in the affected community.

He said: “The ones at our disposal are 11 people (killed) and the command has already sent a reinforcement team to the affected community and the reinforcing team has been able to return normalcy in the area.

“They are currently on confidence-building patrol and there is relative normalcy in that axis.”

Residents of the area lamented that Dangulbi and surrounding communities had been experiencing series of attacks by bandits in the last few days.

Saifullahi Ibrahim, a resident of Maru LGA, said the notorious bandit demanded a sum of N2 million levy from the community in order to allow them cultivate their farmland in the rainy season, adding that the people did as requested.

“The wave of attacks on our communities started about three days ago when a bandit kingpin, called Damina asked our people to pay N2 million to him to allow them to cultivate their lands,” he narrated.

According to Ibrahim, Kango, which is another village just about 2km away from Dangulbi was attacked last Friday and seven persons were reportedly killed.

“He (Damina) attacked Kango village, a 2km settlement away from Dangulbi, and killed seven people.

“Then yesterday (Sunday), in the afternoon, he proceeded to Dangulbi environs when people were on their farms working.

“They (terrorists) rounded them up and 11 people were confirmed killed on their various farms and some (persons) are missing.”

The resident identified some of the victims as Lawali Yusuf, Basiru Bakwai, Murtala, Ashiru Suleman, Dayyabu Adamu, Sufiyanu Sani, and Kamalu Sani, among others.

Culled from Vanguard