What happened

An explosion and fast-moving fire at an illegal crude-oil refining site in Abaezi forest, on the Imo–Rivers state border, killed more than 100 people — officials later confirmed 110 deaths — after flames engulfed vendors and buyers gathered at the site. The site had opened following a February 2022 government clampdown on illegal bunkering across the border in Rivers State. This is an illegal/artisanal refining-site disaster, distinct from licensed industrial refineries, and was not an attack on energy infrastructure.

When cited sources give different casualty, damage or spill figures for this event, they’re reported side by side above rather than merged into one number. See how confidence levels work.