What happened

An explosion and fire hit an illegal refining site along a pipeline that had reportedly been tapped by oil thieves in Emuoha council area, Rivers State. Police said at least 12 people died while scooping crude products when the site caught fire, though local residents reported a higher toll. This is an illegal/artisanal refining-site incident tied to pipeline theft, distinct from licensed industrial refineries, and was not an attack on energy infrastructure itself.

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.